• Third stage: Carlos Sainz wins and places leader in the Dakar, Alonso finishes fifth

Fernando Alonso said Tuesday after finishing fifth in the third stage of the Dakar that he looks more moral to look for a stage victory in this edition of the toughest rally in the world where Spanish is a debutante.

Alonso was satisfied with the pace he has achieved in the last two days, where he has shot aboard the Toyota Hilux almost at the same times as the fastest drivers , with the only incident of the wheel that broke on Tuesday and that made him lose almost every option to win the rally.

" I did not come to win the Dakar this year or make a podium. I am aware of my limitations for this year. A few months ago I had never gotten into a rally car, five months ago I did not know Marc Coma . There are many things I have to recover, "Alonso explained.

The Spaniard valued having shot for the second consecutive day at the rate of the first five but admitted he does not want to settle for that in his first foray into the Dakar. "I always want a little more and I hope I can take advantage of the good position in which I go out tomorrow to try something else like being in the top three. Winning a stage would be magical, " Alonso said.

"If at some stage I can find good rhythm and visibility, it would be possible to think about making a 'top 3' or winning a stage that seems impossible, but after these last two stages I have some more moral," he added.

He said that "the biggest challenge" that has to be among the best in the world in any discipline, be it Formula 1, endurance races, speed ovals like Indianapolis or raid rallies, where the Dakar is the queen of this discipline.

On the stage where Alonso has been among the first five for the first time, the pilot explained that he had no setbacks except for the final part where he lost a little, which made him lose the fourth place of the stage in favor of Jakub Przygonski (Mini). "We have been able to enjoy a good pace. The stage has been beautiful for the places we have been through. In general it has been a good day," Alonso said.

"Yesterday was a bit of a surprise. I said yesterday that I was very happy with the rhythm and the sensations I had. The result was logically the negative part and losing those hours was not expected, but the sensations were good yesterday and follow being today, "he continued.

The Spaniard said that in this third stage it was difficult for him to catch up a little because the previous day had driven 130 kilometers without brakes, disconnected to be able to repair the wheel that had broken.

"There was a trial area with large loose rocks where you had to go slowly in first gear. There are so many changes of pace during the stage ... sometimes 10 kilometers butt through some sand valleys and then you pass through some mountains where Just pass the car, "Alonso said.

"In those you go to first at 15 or 20 kilometers per hour. Because of the lack of experience I can not go to 40 for those areas. I trust what Marc tells me," he added.

The Spaniard also congratulated Madrid's Carlos Sainz (Mini) for his stage victory, which also made him the leader of the race. "It's a double joy," Alonso concluded.

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  • Dakar Rally
  • Fernando Alonso

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More MotorCarlos Sainz wins the third stage and is leader in the Dakar, Alonso finishes fifth