The Dakar wandering and adventure ends in Santiago

14th stage 
Saturday 19 January: La Serena – Santiago 
The connecting section: 502 km 
The speed trial: 128 km 
  
Santiago, the capital and largest city of Chile with 5,5 million inhabitants, was founded in 1541 by the conqueror Pedro de Valdivia. He named the city Santiago de Nueva Extremadura (literal translation is Santiago of the new end). 470 years later the city becomes a finish of the most difficult race of the world, the Dakar Rally 2013. But even before the last stage and the last kilometres of this fantastic adventure waited for the racers. The speed trial offered a nice, wide and fast tracks. So the crews were not allowed to take a break in concentration. At the gates of Santiago a short racing circuit waited to the riders to entertain the audience. Racers could perform in a variety of jumps and drifts. But it was just a starter for the closing ceremony, which is scheduled for today. The venue – Plaza de la Constitución. 
  
But do not anticipate. The crew number 503 and the Princess 69 even in the last stage held between the best and finished on the fourth place with the loss of 2:19. Versluis (Man) won the stage, De Rooy (Iveco) was the second and Biason (Iveco) the third. This means for our crew in the final order the sixth place with the loss of 1:16:10 to the winner, Nikolaev (Kamaz) and hat-trick for Kamaz. Everyone from the team is tired, but healthy. Maybe we feel little sadness,that we stayed for so long in the sixth place and could not coax the Princess to move in the most precious medal places. 

The whole competition Aleš, Radim, Serge and also all the mechanics and support fought on the track for every single minute and also with all the pitfalls bravely and with pride. They tried to cut the almost 2 hours loss from the 5th stage and did not stop believing, even though the old Princess 69 was little stubborn. This years performance leaves no doubt about the fact, that on Silk way and Dakar 2014 will InstaForex Loprais Team with the Queen attack the victory. 
Watch with us the podium finish, the trucks will get on the podium at 14:04 local time, our crew about 16:00 local time. We are preparing for you report from this unbelievable fan base with an awesome atmosphere, that can not be describe by any words. We are saying goodbye by wishing you calm Sunday and by message from Aleš: “Once again we really thank you for everything!”