Nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb safely negotiated the prologue of the Dakar Rally on Saturday, with all favourites also safely home before racing proper starts on the two-week endurance race. Dutchman Bernhard ten Brinke, driving a Toyota, claimed victory in the prologue, taking 6min 08sec to cover the 11km special, beating Carlos Sainz (Peugeot) and Xavier Pons (Ford Ranger). "It's amazing! We went really fast and made no mistakes. Not bad at all," said ten Brinke, who quickly sounded a note of realism. "That was just 11 kilometres, the real Dakar starts tomorrow, and it'll be good to start at the front. The week will be really tough, with long stages and...
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