In the bike category is was Brit Sam Sunderland who claimed the first stage victory over Portugal’s Paulo Goncalves while KTM favourite Marc Coma finished the day just over a minute behind in third position.
But it was the car category that everyone was talking about with defending champ and Mini driver Nani Roma whose Mini broke down just ten kilometres into the opening section.
The assistance truck had to help him repair it only for it to break down again later. All in all he lost over 7 hours, ending his hopes at a repeat Dakar win.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom in the Mini team though as Orlando Terranova took the stage victory with Gordini driver Robby Gordon taking second and our own Giniel De Villiers taking third on the day in his Toyota.
Bike results: Stage 1 2015 Dakar Rally
1. Sam Sunderland (GBR) | KTM | 1h18m57s |
2. Paulo Goncalves (POR) | Honda | +0m05s |
3. Marc Coma (ESP) | KTM | +1m12s |
4. Joan Barreda Bort (ESP) | Honda | +1m41s |
5. Alain Duclos (FRA) | Sherco | +2m08s |
6. Jeremias Israel Esquerre (CHI) | Honda | +2m16s |
7. David Casteu (FRA) | KTM | +2m36s |
8. Matthias Walkner (AUT) | KTM | +2m42s |
9. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL) | KTM | +2m58s |
10. Ruben Faria (POR) | KTM | +3m02s |
Car results: Stage 1 2015 Dakar Rally
1. Orlando Terranova (ARG) | Mini | 1h13m12s |
2. Robby Gordon (USA) | Gordini | +0m42s |
3. Giniel De Villiers (RSA) | Toyota | +0m50s |
4. Krzysztof Holowczyc (POL) | Mini | +0m54s |
5. Emiliano Spataro (AUG) | Renault | +0m56s |
6. Bernhard Ten Brinke (NED) | Toyota | +1m16s |
7. Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) | Mini | +1m38s |
8. Carlos Sainz (ESP) | Peugeot | +1m44s |
9. Erik Van Loon (NED) | Mini | +1m58s |
10. Stephane Peterhansel (FRA) | Peugeot | +2m13s |