Dakar Stage Four
Victory on the fourth stage went once again to Marc Coma (Repsol KTM) 1’17 ahead of Cyril Despres (Red Bull KTM) with the American Jonah Street (KTM) third (at 1’21).
Overall Marc increases his lead to 42’57 ahead of new second place man Street with Fretigne third (at 43’42). Jordi Viladoms (Repsol KTM) is fourth (at 55’57) with Cyril moving up to 11th (at 1h37’07). After yesterday’s crash Alain Duclos went better today to finish 16th on the special 26’44 behind the winner.
Marc Coma (Repsol KTM) 1st and 1st overall
After three very fast days the race changed pace today with the terrain being more varied and technical. We still haven’t seen any dunes yet but the tracks were sandy and a pleasure to ride. My goal today was just to ride at a steady pace and maintain my lead. I opted to use a mousse but Jordi was right behind me with a tube so it wasn’t too much stress.
Cyril Despres (Red Bull KTM) 2nd (at 1’17) 11th overall (at 1h37’07)
I can’t tell you what a pleasure it was to have a trouble free run. The tracks were really nice and I even managed to forget how far behind I am overall. I started in 47th place this morning and overtook about 40 bikes, and obviously that takes a little time, so to finish just behind Marc isn’t too bad. Now we have to work at getting some time back. I am perhaps the only person in the bivouac who believes I can still win – but it was pretty much like that in 2007 and that it didn’t work out too badly!
Jordi Viladoms (Repsol KTM) 6th (at 8’40) 4th overall (at 55’57)
I didn’t push too much today, just rode my own race. The terrain was fun and I enjoyed myself – all I had to do was make sure I stayed out of trouble, didn’t puncture my tube and be there for Marc if he needed me.
Alain Duclos (Kaestle KTM) 16th (at 26’44)
I slept last night in the medical tent and although I felt stiff this morning I decided to try and ride. In the end I was glad I did. I couldn’t sit down and wasn’t too strong in right hand corners but I could ride ok and didn’t finish too badly. It don’t think I will be 100% tomorrow but the good news is that I will start in the good group and won’t have to eat too much dust.
Provisional results after 4th stage
1. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM
2. Cyril Despres, France, KTM
3. Jonah Street, USA, KTM
4. David Fretigne, France, Yamaha
5. Francisco Lopez, Chile, KTM
6. Jordi Viladoms, Spain, KTM
16. Alain Duclos, France, KTM
Provisional overall standings
1. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM
2. Jonah Street, USA, KTM
3. David Fretigne, France, Yamaha
4. Jordi Viladoms, Spain, KTM
5. Pal Anders Ullevalseter, Norway, KTM
11. Cyril Despres, France, KTM
110. Alain Duclos, France, KTM
