Terrain Takes Out Sainz

Red Bull athlete Carlos Sainz, a two-time world rally champion, abandoned the Dakar Rally after his Volkswagen careened into a ravine during Thursday’s 12th stage.

The Spaniard (pictured above) had won six stages this year, including the previous four, and held a sizeable advantage entering the 159-mile trek to La Rioja, Argentina. Sainz, driving with French co-pilot Michel Perin, was not seriously injured and was taken by helicopter to the stage’s starting point in Fiambala.

Red Bull, however, still has strong representation in the South American edition of the Dakar.

Sainz’s Red Bull Volkswagen teammates, South African Giniel De Villiers and American Mark Miller, sit 1-2 in the overall car standings, with Miller less than three minutes behind. In the bike category, Spain’s Marc Coma leads France’s Cyril Despres by less than 90 seconds. Both are Red Bull-backed KTM riders.

Only two cross-country stages remain, with Friday’s stage 13 running from La Rioja to Cordoba. The Dakar ends where in started, in Buenos Aires — the first time the event has left the deserts of West Africa.

For results, visit dakar.com.