The resident missed several dunes

Despite the organizers' predictions that the ninth stage will be dune again, there were only about 30 kilometers. A good-natured Resident finished the day in 32nd place; in total it is the twenty-ninth. At the finish of the stage, the fastest known trio are Coma, Barreda and Despres.

Although the organizer announced dunes for today, when the competitors reached the northernmost point of this year's rally, there were only a sample of these. Slovenian representative Miran Stanovnik said that only about 30 of the 422-kilometer speed test were difficult to navigate and technically: “The stage brought very fast sections and only a shorter navigation-demanding section. I drove without a single mistake. If I could add another mile per hour of speed it would be ideal, otherwise I am very happy with the stage. After the treatment with a physiotherapist, I woke up in the morning without the consequences of racing in the heights of Bolivia, and I am just satisfied with how well my body is enduring the race this year. "

The resident refrained from making predictions about the final outcome among the best motorcyclists, as he is aware that the race is still long. "Coma is a very experienced racer, but you have to know that both Despres and Coma will put pressure and recalculate the chances all the way to the finish line," says Miran about the tensions at the top, and also commented on the ride of the exceptional motorcyclist Laia Sanz: "The girl has exceptional feel for the engine. She was a multiple champion in trial and enduro, and last year she prepared extensively for the Dakar. Although she is at least as strong as I am, she is a very nice and pleasant girl, in front of whom motorcyclists can take off their hats. "

Today's stage was driven the fastest by KTM's Marc Coma with a minute and forty-one seconds ahead of Barred Bort and half a minute ahead of Cyril Despree. The experienced Coma, with a 40-minute advantage, seems to have good control of the race and maintains the lead. The aforementioned Laia Sanz finished in a remarkable ninth place today; it is sixteenth in total.

Tomorrow is the 689-kilometer stage to Antofagasta with one of the most unpopular grounds - fine sand called feš feš. The 631-kilometer speed test will be the longest this year.