Dakar 2007: Honda Press Release 19Jan |
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File under Dakar Race Honda
Author: Honda Press Release
Location: Normandy, France
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Dakar Rally 2007 Stage 13: January 19th, Kayes - Tambacounda
Liaison : 180 km - Special : 260 km - Liaison : 18 km
Total : 458 km
THIERRY BETHYS WINS THE SPECIAL IN THE 450CC CATEGORY AND TAKES OVERALL THIRD FASTEST TIME
Every day there appears to be a drama on the Dakar, but this time it was at the head of the field under the most improbable circumstances. Marc Coma, lost and quite a distance from the correct track, crashed and suffered a head injury. This means that Cyril Despres is the new leader with a 35-minute advantage over David Casteu.
The day’s special stage was very difficult in terms of navigation and a number of riders got lost and found themselves in the middle of several criss-crossing tracks in the savannah. The first 100 kilometres were run between the trees, but the finish took riders over a fast laterite piste.
In the 450cc category, Thierry Bethys took the special victory, in front of Marchini and Rodrigues. Knuiman and Conçalvez had a bad stage and were eighth and 13th, respectively. Bethys was also an excellent third in the overall rankings on the stage.
 THIERRY BETHYS
THIERRY BETHYS (FRANCE) N°85 : « It was more than a good stage for me. At the start there was a deceptive intersection and many riders did not take the right way. There was a left corner with a choice of three tracks. Cyril Despres assisted me because, when I arrived at the point, I hesitated but Cyril had made a mistake and had returned to take the correct track. The last 100 kilometres were on laterite and very fast, too fast for the 450 and I was overtaken by the bigger bikes. I am happy with my stage and also to finish third of all the bikes today, but I am a little disappointed to remain third in the overall rankings. »
 HENK KNUIMAN
HENK KNUIMAN (BELGIUM) N°11 : « We had to wait more than one hour at the stage start and there were many children. Then a boy passed under the tape and he was hit by one of the security officials. It was a complete surprise and I was shocked. When I took the stage start I was not able to concentrate completely. I did not feel good and I was not able to judge the nature of the stage. So I decided to ride cautiously. On arrival at the bivouac, I was surprised to see that I was one of the first 10… It was incredible. »
 PAULO CONCALVEZ
PAULO CONCALVEZ (PORTUGAL) N°33 : « The navigation was very difficult today and I got lost many times and lost a lot of time. When I finally found the good track, many riders had already passed me. The last section was very fast and was dangerous, because there were a number of holes. It was not my stage. »
 GREGOIRE BLONDEL
GREGOIRE BLONDEL (FRANCE) N°83 : « It was a very, very beautiful special on technical tracks at the start, between the trees and then very fast. I enjoyed the tracks on the laterite piste with the bike. It was a beautiful route. »
 EVERT KROON
EVERT KROON (HOLLAND) N° 208 : « I lost my two friends in the dust... Usually, we ride together but I found myself all alone. It was really dangerous. I could see nothing and even less when the cars overtook us. I rode very slowly and took no risks. »
 TEUS VISSER
TEUS VISSER (HOLLAND) N°82 : « I have never seen so much dust in my life. There is tonnes of it in my clothes but also my insides ! It was really complicated and difficult today, especially because we left among the last riders. We rode together, the three of us, but we lost Evert in the dust and so I finished the stage with Thomas. »
 THOMAS DE BOIS
THOMAS DE BOIS (HOLLAND) N°173 : « It was a beautiful stage, but dangerous and very dusty. One day remains and then I will be able to realise my goal for the second time and see the beach in Dakar ! »
450CC CLASSIFICATION ON THE STAGE (PROVISIONAL)
1. BETHYS (FRA) HONDA 3h12’39
2. Marchini (Yamaha) 3h15’19
3. Rodrigues (Yamaha) 3h17’50
8. KNUIMAN (HOL) HONDA 3h50’10
13. CONCALVEZ (POR) HONDA 3h34’51
31. BLONDEL (FR) HONDA 3h57’57
55. KROON (NL) HONDA 4h50’22
58. DE BOIS (NL) HONDA 5h03’41
60. VISSER (NL) HONDA 5h04’10
OVERALL 450CC CLASSIFICATION (PROVISIONAL)
1. Rodrigues (Por) Yamaha 51h02’00
2. Marchini (Yamaha) 51h39’10
3. BETHYS (FRA) HONDA 51h53’19
4. KNUIMAN (HOL) HONDA 53h07’01
11. CONCALVEZ (POR) HONDA 57h57’00
31. BLONDEL (FR) HONDA 70h06’21
43. KROON (NL) HONDA 77h22’17
47. VISSER (NL) HONDA 80h12’55
49. DE BOIS (NL) HONDA 80h27’33
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