Reigning champion Marc Coma has suffered the lion's share of bad luck during the first half of the 2010 Dakar, but the biggest blow was handed to him yesterday. Race officials slapped Coma with a six-hour penalty for violating Article 18-4 of the Dakar rules when it was determined he had changed to a new tire before starting the second part of the stage.
The AMV Red Bull KTM team suffered a serious blow to its efforts in retaining the No. 1 plate yesterday when race officials handed pilot Marc Coma a six-hour penalty.
This is the second time the reigning champ has gotten dinged, the first being in Stage 1 for speeding through a village. With this stiff punishment, Coma has dropped to 24th in the overall standings. The question now is will the reigning champion return from the rest day to continue his fight or withdraw from the race.
The other two-time Dakar title winner, Despres, appears poised to collect the Dakar title especially now that race officals slapped his biggest rival with the penalty. The Frenchman currently stands in the top position of the overall standings with a 1:20:08 lead over Yamaha's Helder Rodrigues. Thus far, Despres has collected two stage wins (22 career) and three runner-up spots out of the seven stages.
After blowing his rear shock early in yesterday’s stage and taking a beating for most of the day, the Red Bull KTM pilot is fortunate to have this rest day. Not only does it allow him to recover physically, but his mechanics have time to go completely through his 690 machine and make sure all that extra jarring hasn’t broken anything or loosened bolts.
Today’s mandatory rest day marks the halfway point of this grueling challenge. A single day is all that is afforded to the riders and teams who continue to push through the pain and agony on their quest to finish the infamous Dakar raid. The road back to Buenos Aires will be just as difficult for the riders as they head back into the Atacama Desert. Stage 8 begins at 7:30 a.m. with a 60-mile liaison that moves the competitors inland to the start of the 293-mile special. Riders will quickly climb to over 8500 feet before navigating their way down to the first of five check points with one fuel stop. Not deviating from the course will be the key to successfully completing this special that ends at the bivouac in Copiapo.
2010 Dakar Overall Standings:
During the mandatory rest day, mechanics will be working furiously to ensure their pilot's machine is ready for the second-half of the Dakar rally.
1. DESPRES (FRA) KTM 28:10:13
2. RODRIGUES (PRT) YAMAHA 29:30:21
3. ULLEVALSETER (NOR) KTM 29:36:05
4. LOPEZ CONTARDO (CHL) APRILIA 29:41:17
5. DUCLOS (FRA) KTM 30:00:19
6. FRETIGNE (FRA) YAMAHA 30:16:10
7. STREET (USA) KTM 30:16:41
8. PELLICER (ESP) YAMAHA 30:36:35 02:26:22
9. BERGLUND (SWE) KTM 30:38:47 02:28:34
10. PAIN (FRA) YAMAHA 30:40:55 02:30:42
Cyril Despres (FRA - KTM) Stage Results:
Stage 1 - 2
Stage 2 - 4
Stage 3 – 1
Stage 4 – 3
Stage 5 – 2
Stage 6 – 2
Stage 7 - 1
Marc Coma (ESP – KTM) Stage Results:
Stage 1 – 3
Stage 2 – 3
Stage 3 – 9
Stage 4 – 1
Stage 5 – 19
Stage 6 – 1
Stage 7 - 2
Riders will rest today before the start of Stage 8 tomorrow morning. The 293 mile special turns back toward Buenos Aires and returns to the Atacama Desert.
Stage 1 – 10
Stage 2 – 6
Stage 3 – 2
Stage 4 – 9
Stage 5 – 7
Stage 6 – 3
Stage 7 – 14
Pal Anders Ullevalseter (NOR – KTM) Stage Results:
Stage 1 – 15
Stage 2 – 17
Stage 3 – 10
Stage 4 – 10
Stage 5 – 6
Stage 6 – 5
Stage 7 – 5
Francisco Lopez Contardo (CHL – Aprilia) Stage Results:
Stage 1 – 5
Stage 2 – 25
Stage 3 – 5
Stage 4 – 4
Stage 5 – 1
Stage 6 – 4
Stage 7 – 17
Jonah Street (USA – KTM) Stage Results:
Stage 1 – 14
Stage 2 – 11
Stage 3 – 8
Stage 4 – 15
Stage 5 – 12
Stage 6 – 9
Stage 7 – 16
Check out the Week 1 summary video courtesy of
Dakar.com.
