Coma wins Dakar stage and cuts into bike lead
Source: Agencies |
January 6, 2011, Thursday
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SPANISH rider Marc Coma on a KTM won the third stage of the Dakar Rally on Tuesday, cutting into the overall lead in the bike category of defending champion Cyril Despres of France.
Coma, the 2009 champion, finished the stage in northern Argentina in 4 hours, 18 minutes, 55 seconds, 2:21 ahead of Despres. That left Despres, the 2010 champion, with only a 14-second lead when the rally crosses into Chile.
In cars, Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar took the stage in 3:42:20, edging Volkswagen teammate Carlos Sainz by 25 seconds. Defending champion Sainz kept the overall lead, 3:34 ahead of Al-Attiyah and 4:19 in front of Stephane Peterhansel.
The change to more difficult terrain after the first few days caused problems.
"That was a really authentic Dakar day," Coma said. "The first part with lots of navigation then more riding on the rest. I'm happy with where I am. Of course it's important to win a special (stage) but my aim is to win the rally."
It was Coma's 12th stage win at Dakar.
Coma took advantage of an error early in the stage by his chief rival.
"I was very careful during the first 10 kilometers and then after 11 kilometers I got it completely wrong," Despres said. "I didn't lose two hours, but several precious minutes."
The race ends on January 16 in Buenos Aires.
Coma, the 2009 champion, finished the stage in northern Argentina in 4 hours, 18 minutes, 55 seconds, 2:21 ahead of Despres. That left Despres, the 2010 champion, with only a 14-second lead when the rally crosses into Chile.
In cars, Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar took the stage in 3:42:20, edging Volkswagen teammate Carlos Sainz by 25 seconds. Defending champion Sainz kept the overall lead, 3:34 ahead of Al-Attiyah and 4:19 in front of Stephane Peterhansel.
The change to more difficult terrain after the first few days caused problems.
"That was a really authentic Dakar day," Coma said. "The first part with lots of navigation then more riding on the rest. I'm happy with where I am. Of course it's important to win a special (stage) but my aim is to win the rally."
It was Coma's 12th stage win at Dakar.
Coma took advantage of an error early in the stage by his chief rival.
"I was very careful during the first 10 kilometers and then after 11 kilometers I got it completely wrong," Despres said. "I didn't lose two hours, but several precious minutes."
The race ends on January 16 in Buenos Aires.
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