After a stage for the Chilean Jose Cornejo Florimo (Honda), the suspense on the final result is however intact on the bike, especially between the first three, the KTM duo Matthias Walkner and Sam Sunderland, followed by the French Yamaha Adrien van Beveren.

In the car, the French Sébastien Loeb (Prodrive) suffered a setback: after resuming 15 minutes in two specials at Al-Attiyah, he lost one minute on Tuesday and is nearly 40 minutes behind the Qatari leader, already crowned in 2011, 2015 and 2019.

A first victory in Friday's event for Loeb, nine-time WRC rally champion, seems impossible unless his opponent has a major mechanical problem.

"We are not in the position to do calculations, we are a lot behind. We can just try to do good stages, continue to attack, and we will see at the end", resigned the Frenchman. on the finish line.

Al-Attiyah is also almost an hour ahead of third overall, Saudi Yazeed Al Rajhi (Toyota).

Toyota left nothing on this ninth stage, as another of its drivers, the South African Giniel De Villiers, had his first success this year, followed by Henk Lategan and Al-Attiyah.

Audi has also responded, placing its three hybrid cars in the top 10.

As for bikers, nothing is decided.

Chilean Jose Cornejo Florimo (Honda) won the special ahead of returning Argentinian Kevin Benavides (KTM), winner last year.

The 2021 winner, who was up to 25 minutes late, has been formidably consistent for several days and climbed to 5th place ten minutes behind new leader Matthias Walkner (KTM).

Argentina's Kevin Benavides during the 9th stage of the Dakar rally around Wadi Ad Dawasir in Saudi Arabia on January 11, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP

The Austrian took advantage of the bad day of Sam Sunderland (KTM), only 14th in the stage 8 minutes from Cornejo, to steal his lead at 885 km from the finish, but he only has 2 minutes 12 seconds left. advance on the Briton.

Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha), ninth on the stage, remains in third place in the standings, 3min 56sec behind the leader.

In total, six competitors stand in just over ten minutes.

© 2022 AFP