Dakar2012: Day 14 and Final from Bikes in the Fast Lane

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Dakar2012: Day 14 and Final

January
2012

  File under Dakar Race
  Author: Mike Werner
  Location: Travelling

Last day of the famous Dakar

rally, and in the motorcycle category, Cyril Despres

has won. It's his 4th title, one more than his arch-rival Marc Coma

.

It was not an easy 3 weeks for either of them. For the spectators, we could not have asked for a better race, since it was played until Day 13, within seconds of each other. This made the race very interesting to watch.

Congratulations to both Cyril and Marc for making this year so interesting to follow.

BTW: Not only did motorcycle riders win the motorcycle category, obviously, but the top 2 in the car category were/are bikers, both having won the Dakar on a motorcycle. So to win the Dakar, you really need to be a motorcycle rider, maybe a lesson for Robby Gordon.

Cyril Despres: "Without doubt this fourth Dakar victory was the hardest – both physically and psychologically. From the very first stage, all the way to the end of the last real stage, Marc (Coma) and I battled it out and mentally that made it particularly exhausting. We are so close in terms of outright speed and navigational ability that the slightest error can allow the other to pull out a decisive lead – there is never a moment to relax. To have such a rivalry doesn’t make either of our lives easy, but it does add to our sport’s excitement and gives our victories greater merit.
Once again we were both blessed with excellent machinery and a fantastic road book with which to fight our battle, so a very sincere ‘thank you’ to KTM for producing such a great bike and ASO for organising such an excellent event. The last part of the rally in Peru provided some of the best terrain I have ever raced over, the 12th stage in particular left a lasting souvenir. Finally, a big thank you to my team and my sponsors for making this fourth victory possible."

Here are the photos of yesterday. courtesy KTM

and Maragni M.

. Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them after they have all fully loaded