Dakar 2007: KTM Press Release 15Jan from Bikes in the Fast Lane

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Dakar 2007: KTM Press Release 15Jan

January
2007

  File under Dakar Race KTM
  Author: KTM Press Release
  Location: Normandy, France

Privateer Vinters wins on KTM

Todays stage was - again - a difficult one - 494 km from Tichit to Nema in Mauritania.

Chris Blais on the huge African plaines

Extremely soft sand, technically and physically demanding, was the major feature in a virtually empty, inhospitable landscape. Due to the wind, the existing tracks were hidden under the sand. The riders had to be very careful in every possible way. Not only for themselves, but also for their bikes, since this stage was the second half of a marathon stage. Without proper assistance in Tichit, keeping man and machine in one piece was the secret of getting to the finish in Nema.

Given the circumstances it wasn't too suprising that it was a privateer who took victory on the stage, with Latvian Janis Vinters finishing 7.31 ahead of Cyril Despres (KTM Gauloises) and 7.35 ahead of Marc Coma (KTM Repsol).

Isidre Esteve (KTM Gauloises), who lost two hours Sunday due to a gearbox problem, had to start today's race in 37th place and finally finished eighth, just behind team mate David Casteu.

For Giovanni Sala (KTM Repsol) and Frans Verhoeven (KTM Gauloises) today didn't go at all according to plan. Sala had a nasty crash just after CP2 and had to be taken to hospital with a broken shoulder, while Frans Verhoeven dropped a long way from his 6th place overall this morning. The Dutchman lost over five hours due to a broken gearbox.

Results Tichit - Nema :

Rank	Rider	Nation	Bike	Time
2	Cyril Despres	FRA	KTM	6.16.22
3	Marc Coma	SPA	KTM	6.16.44
6	Chris Blais	USA	KTM	6.19.38
7	David Casteu	FRA	KTM	6.24.44
8	Esteve Pujol	SPA	KTM	6.27.58

Overall Results:

Rank	Rider	Nation	Bike	Time
1	Marc Coma	SPA	KTM	36.41.31
2	Cyril Despres	FRA	KTM	37.36.07
3	David Casteu	FRA	KTM	37.52.46
4	Chris Blais	USA	KTM	38.15.51
6	Esteve Pujol	SPA	KTM	39.13.42