"There were so many days of racing, so much work. I am really very happy. It was a very tough race. We did not know the terrain too well and it was therefore hard to have a good race strategy. I must thank all my team who did a wonderful job. There are a lot of people working behind the scenes and they deserve this victory as much as I do. Now I can enjoy the moment." - Marc Coma
Marc Coma became the first South American Dakar Rally winner by riding smooth and smart in the final stage today. This is the second overall Dakar victory for the Spaniard in his career. The Repsol KTM rider was content to follow his primary challenger, Cyril Despres through the 227 km special and finish with an insurmountable lead of 1:25.
Portugal’s Helder Rodrigues took the stage victory 2”07 ahead of Pal Anders Ullevalseter. Despres claimed third (2nd OA) with Jordi Viladoms (7th OA) and David Casteu (4th OA) following. Coma cruised back in sixth, only five minutes off the lead pace. David Fretigne finished an astounding third overall on his Yamaha WR450F against the horde of big-bore KTMs.
The start of this rally was marred by constant tire trouble and the death of French rider Pascal Terry. Following the rest day, riders were constantly on alert for course changes, which lowered the amount of overall miles and took place on Stage 10, 12 and 13. Stage 11 was cancelled entirely. All told, 113 riders finished the event. With the loss of Jonah Street to a wrist injury after Stage 8, hope for a top American result was dashed. No Americans finished the rally.
Check out the
Stage 14 video highlights and the
2009 Dakar Rally Summary video.
Marc Coma (Esp - KTM) - 1st (in 52h14'33)
I can't describe the feeling - happy doesn't even come close. It is so good to be able to draw a line under two difficult years - losing the 2007 Dakar two days from the end and then the cancellation of the 2008 edition. Winning this race is all about preparation and Jordi (Viladoms), Gerard (Farres) and I worked very hard on that this year. It has been a difficult rally for both the organisers and the competitors, due to our lack of experience in racing on this continent, but we have all risen to that challenge. What really made this Dakar special were the people of Argentina and Chile who were so welcoming and enthusiastic.
"In this race, technical problems can happen any time but at least, I don’t have to say ’well, in this or that stage, I should have done this or done that, etc.’ What also interests me in my experience of this year’s raid and a good second part of the race, is that I have now had proof that all the work done before was worth it. "
- Cyril Despres
Another Dakar and another podium - but unfortunately not another victory. Still, in many ways, it is a personal triumph. When, after three days, I found myself in twenty second position I was forced to dig deep to find the determination, not just to continue riding, but to continue racing. Rally-raid on a motorcycle is a sport for egoists. But the Dakar is also a school of life and teaches you that to receive you have to give. KTM, the people in my team, my sponsors, my fiancé, my family and my friends give me a great deal of support and it was in my gratitude to them that I found the strength to fight all the way to the end. Congratulations to Marc for a truly excellent race.
David Frétigné (Fra - YAM) - 3rd (at 1h38'56)
Being on the podium on a Dakar was really important. With my 450cc, I think I did something pretty exceptional; I wanted to be the first to get that bike on the podium. I was the first one to believe it was possible, even if everyone was telling me it was impossible. Today, I am third and I am on the podium and I spent most of the rally in second place. I am very happy because with Yamaha we have the reliability we need from the bike. I had a blast: in addition to the performance, I had fun driving; I managed to do all that at the same time. The rally was tough but I expected something even more difficult and I had prepared myself accordingly. This is also why I had such fun for the last two weeks.
Jordi Viladoms (Esp – KTM) - 7th (2h28'29)
I am very happy for Marc and also happy with my work, which allows me, in a modest way, to share in his victory. We worked very hard, so to get the result we wanted is a great satisfaction. I am maybe not ready to win this race just yet, but I am still young and one day I will be. This Dakar has been an important step towards that goal.
2009 Dakar Rally winners, David Frétigné, Marc Coma, and Cyril Despres.
I am pleased that on the second half of the rally I was able to come back from my injury and be there for Cyril, and also pleased to have had the chance to be part of such a professional team.
Alex Doringer (KTM Team Manager)
I am obviously delighted with the result and Marc's performance. I am also proud of the way Cyril fought back - it is the mark of a champion. To take the first and second places is not down to chance, but is the fruit of hard work by the whole team, both here on the rally and back at the factory. Congratulations also to ASO for succeeding in pulling off what was a formidable challenge.
Stage 14 Results:
2009 Dakar Rally Stage 14 Route Map.
1. RODRIGUES (PRT) KTM 01:42:37
2. ULLEVALSETER (NOR) KTM 01:44:44
3. DESPRES (FRA) KTM 01:45:18
4. VILADOMS (ESP) KTM 01:46:08
5. CASTEU (FRA) KTM 01:47:14
6. COMA (ESP) KTM 01:47:43
7. VERHOEVEN (NLD) KTM 01:47:49
8. VISSER (NLD) KTM 01:48:23
9. KNUIMAN (NLD) KTM 01:48:25
10. FARRES GUELL (ESP) KTM 01:48:29
Overall Standings:
1. COMA (ESP) KTM 52:14:33
2. DESPRES (FRA) KTM 53:40:11
3. FRETIGNE (FRA) YAMAHA 53:53:29
4. CASTEU (FRA) KTM 54:32:27
5. RODRIGUES (PRT) KTM 54:36:44
6. ULLEVALSETER (NOR) KTM 54:39:35
7. VILADOMS (ESP) KTM 54:43:02
8. VERHOEVEN (NLD) KTM 55:05:12
9. KNUIMAN (NLD) KTM 55:37:14
10. GONCALVES (PRT) HONDA 56:27:15
