"Of course, when you are behind, you want just one thing: race it to try and catch up on the time lost for good. But today, the weather made it impossible to race the first part of the special stage. It’s a pitty but that’s also the race!"
- Cyril Despres
Another day of the 2009 Dakar and another stage in the books as Cyril Despres takes his fifth stage win of the rally with Marc Coma right on his tail, followed by David Frétigné to round out the top-three. A slight course modification occurred early in Stage 13 due to torrential rains overnight leaving the timed section to begin at the original CP4. The overall standings weren't affected at all by today's results with Coma riding smart and sticking to Despres for the majority of the course.
Stage 13 began with the top-two of the overall leading the pack for the day and held the point position through the end with little variation. Most riders were playing it safe today, trying to avoid significant mistakes to make it to the rally's final stage tomorrow. It did appear that the Spaniard was playing it easy. Perhaps he remembers the accident suffered during the 2007 Dakar causing him to withdraw near the final stage. Although because the course wasn't as technical didn't mean it was any less dangerous for some riders.
According to Team Movistar Francisco Lopez's official site, he has been forced to withdraw from the 2009 Dakar due to a fall that has heavily damaged his bike. He was towed to the bivouac by another Chilean rider, but Lopez did not suffer any injuries during the crash.
With Coma holding his commanding lead over second place leaves him to be the predicted winner but rally racing is unpredictable and anything could happen with one day to go.
Check out the
Stage 13 video highlights.
Marc Coma appears to have had this Dakar all wrapped up since Stage 4 but can he hold it till the end?
Stage 14 will bring us full circle with the 2009 Dakar ending in Buenos Aires. Tomorrow's route contains a liaison of 224 km, a timed special of 227 km and a final 324 km liaison back to the Argentine capital where they started this adventure on January 3rd. The final stage will bring some riders to make the final push for the top spots.
Cyril Despres (Fra - KTM) - 1st, 2nd OA
I started this morning with only a slim lead over Frétigné, so I had no choice but to attack a little. The special was pure WRC, nice smooth corners where you could let the back end of the bike hang out and have some fun. A couple of times I was surprised by rocks in the middle of the track, but apart from that no problems.
Marc Coma (Esp - KTM) - 2nd, 1st OA
There was no real navigation today, just a nice smooth track. It was a little slippery so you couldn't go too fast and anyway there was no point taking any risks. Clearly, going into the last stage, I have a good position, but here is not like Lac Rose, where there is just a short 20 kilometer special. Tomorrow we will have a proper stage and so I need to stay concentrated. We have learnt from what happened in 2007 and won't make the same mistake again. (In 2007 Coma, who looked a sure winner going into the final stage of the Dakar in Africa then crashed and had to withdraw, leaving the glory to Despres.)
David Frétigné (Fra - YAM) - 3rd, 3rd OA
I am really happy to be out of this special stage because I did not expect it to be so fast. There were a number of traps, small narrow turns... For 30 km, it was very bendy and there were a lot of fast sections in between. I quickly saw that I could not do much so I tried to race well, attacking in order not to loose too much time. I must be third I guess so it was a nice special stage. Again, the Yamaha 450cc has given all it had so as there is one day left, I must do damage control and bring her to the podium. This was a special stage where we could make a difference or loose everything. There were ravines, so I had to measure the risk I was taking. And this is what I did because I had to watch out mainly when turning and braking.
Jordi Viladoms (Esp – KTM) - 4th, 7th OA
I was in a good position to post a strong result today, but I caught Alain (Duclos) after just 30 or 40 kilometres and got stuck in his dust. Towards the end he saw me and picked up the pace. It could have been worse - I could have got stuck behind a slower ride - but I still feel a little frustrated.
Alain Duclos (Fra - KTM) - 6th, 34th OA
Even after two weeks on the bike I still want to ride and enjoy myself. Unfortunately I got stuck in Przygonski's dust. Still sixth on the stage isn't too bad and means I will start close to Cyril if he needs me.
Stage 13 Results:
2009 Dakar Rally Stage 13 Map.
1. DESPRES (FRA) KTM 02:33:35
2. COMA (ESP) KTM 02:35:20
3. FRETIGNE (FRA) YAMAHA 02:36:12
4. VILADOMS (ESP) KTM 02:37:27
5. CASTEU (FRA) KTM 02:37:30
6. DUCLOS (FRA) KTM 02:37:40
7. RODRIGUES FILHO (BRA) HONDA 02:38:03
8. RODRIGUES (PRT) KTM 02:38:33
9. ULLEVALSETER (NOR) KTM 02:39:14
10. VERHOEVEN (NLD) KTM 02:40:39
Overall Standings:
1. COMA (ESP) KTM 50:26:50
2. DESPRES (FRA) KTM 51:54:53
3. FRETIGNE (FRA) YAMAHA 52:01:37
4. CASTEU (FRA) KTM 52:45:13
5. RODRIGUES (PRT) KTM 52:54:07
6. ULLEVALSETER (NOR) KTM 52:54:51
7. VILADOMS (ESP) KTM 52:56:54
8. VERHOEVEN (NLD) KTM 53:17:23
9. KNUIMAN (NLD) KTM 53:48:49
10. GONCALVES (PRT) HONDA 54:30:38
