CALAMA, Chile: Former Dakar Rally champion Carlos Sainz saw his 2013 title bid grind to a halt late last week on the sands of Chile as he admitted he may never return to take on the grueling event.

Sainz, the 2010 champion, was forced to retire when the engine on his Buggy failed at the 172-kilometer mark of the 438-kilometer sixth stage, bringing to an end a roller-coaster Dakar for the 50-year-old. After winning the first two stages, he subsequently fell badly out of contention.

“I’m not sure whether I’ll come back,” admitted Sainz, a former two-time World Rally champion. “I’ve had a lot of problems since the start.

Sainz’s teammate, Nasser al-Attiyah, had a much more successful run as he slashed the lead of 10-time champion Stephane Peterhansel by over eight minutes as the 2011 winner stormed to victory on the stage. Al-Attiyah started the stage behind defending champion Peterhansel but finished over a minute ahead.

In the motorcycle class, David Casteu, on a Yamaha, battled with overall leader Olivier Pain, also on a Yamaha.

“The stage I won in 2010 seems a long time ago. I’ve always said to myself that winning a special stage is fabulous,” said Casteu. “I’ve really got the feel of my bike now and I’m really enjoying it. I’m 38 years-old and I’m going to take every day as it comes. I’m itching to ride flat out.”

Not in Senegal
Despite its name, the Dakar Rally has been held in South America in the past five years—not in the Senegal capital—owing to security fears.

The decision to move the race came in 2007 following the murder of four French tourists in Mauritania and the killings of three Mauritanian soldiers. The killings that came shortly before the race was due to begin saw the participants stay in Lisbon rather than head for Africa, and the race was canceled.

The event was then moved to South America, where it has remained. This year’s edition, running until January 20, takes on Peru and Chile, as well as making an incursion into Argentina.