• Holowczyc consolidates his third place in the overall standings
Having finished second in the two previous stages, the two Argentineans finally celebrated their next stage win, in stage 12. Krzysztof Holowczyc (POL) and Xavier Panseri (FRA) finished eighth, today, thus consolidating their third place in the overall standings. Now, the two crews just have to complete the final stage that will take them back to Buenos Aires.
Terranova held second position for a long time but succeeded in stepping it up a notch and clinching the win, in the closing stages. “The route was nice to drive and the car also was great,” said Terranova. “During the course of the special stage we closed in on Nasser but then, we lost time in his dust. Trying to pass him would have been just too dangerous. Later, however, I could push again and secure the win. Vasilyev was really fast, today. In the closing stages, a big crowd were standing next to the road – that always is great to witness.”
Meanwhile, Holowczyc focused on consolidating his third position in the overall standings. “We opted for a careful approach today to not jeopardise our third position,” revealed the Pole. “We had to drive for 100 kilometres in the dust of a rival but the road was narrow and I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks. But then, the adrenalin took over and I passed him, nevertheless. Afterwards, we returned to our careful approach. But I’m not yet ready to be happy about this position. After all, we still have to survive tomorrow’s stage.”
Tomorrow, in the last stage of the 2015 Dakar Rally, the field will return to Buenos Aires. The day comprises 77 liaison kilometres followed by 174-kilometre special stage. And then, during the final 142 kilometres of the event, the new Dakar winner already may look forward to the podium in the Tecnopolis / Buenos Aires.
