The Dakar circus crossed the Andes Mountains for the first time this year and entered Argentina. The first riders left Calama at 04:30 am this morning to tackle the Andes in a convoy on road section reaching the record altitude of 4,975 metres.
The 218-km long stage, that took place after having crossed the Andes on mountain tracks above 3,400 meters, was quite simple in terms of navigation but very fast.
Besides the altitude, that stressed the riders’ stamina as well as the machines, the key point today was a tactical ride in order to save the bike and the tyres for this first part of the marathon stage. Riders will in fact sleep in a separate bivouac tonight located in Cachi, where no assistance is allowed. Riders will check the bikes by themselves, they will do the necessary repairs with the tools they brought with them and can help each other.
The 7th stage was won by Kurt Caselli, who replaced Marc Coma, injured, ahead of Chaleco Lopez and Olivier Pain, who maintains the lead in the overall classification in front of Chaleco Lopez, second at 6’06” and David Casteu, third at 06’37”.
Full stage 7 results and overall standings are available here.
Team HRC riders rode more conservatively today in order to save the machines and the tyres and to be in their best shape for tomorrow 492-km special stage. Argentinian Javier Pizzolito finished 16th and sits now in 12th place overall, 35’07” from Pain, while team mate Helder Rodrigues finished 19th and is now in 11th position, 31’32” behind the leader. A conservative ride also for Johnny Campbell, 70th, who didn’t push too hard in order to save the machine and the tyres.
Javier Pizzolito
“It was a long day and it was cold when we reached the top at 4,975 meters. The stage was very fast but easy in terms of navigation. Now I will work on the bike and I will rest because tomorrow is an important stage”.
Helder Rodrigues
“It was a simple stage but very fast, I rode with a good pace but I didn’t want to take too many risks as I plan to attack tomorrow. My bike worked well and I am confident for tomorrow”.
Johnny Campbell
“We left the sands and dunes of Peru and Chile and today it was a complete different landscape. We could feel the altitude, but all in all it was fine. Now we will work on the machine to be ready for tomorrow’s 492-km long special stage.”
