Dakar 2009 - Bikes: Coma wins second Dakar

Eurosport - Sat, 17 Jan 16:39:00 2009

Spanish biker Marc Coma claimed his second Dakar win despite finishing sixth in the last stage.

Rally Raid Dakar 2009 Coma - 0

The KTM rider, who also won the 2006 Dakar Rally, finished 1:25.38 ahead of runner-up and former champion Cyril Despres, who came third in the final stage.

"There were so many days of racing, so much work," said the 32-year-old. "I am really very happy. It was a very tough race. We did not know the terrain too well and it was hard to have a good race strategy.

"I must thank all my team who did a wonderful job. There are a lot of people working behind the scenes and they deserve this victory as much as I do. Now I can enjoy the moment."

Portugal's Helder Rodrigues (KTM) won the final stage in 1:52.37 and second place went to Norway's Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM), 2.41 behind.

Third place in the overall standings went to David Fretigne (Yamaha), who said: "Being on the podium in a Dakar was really important.

"With my 450cc, I think I did something pretty exceptional. I wanted to be the first to get that bike on the podium. I was the first one to believe it was possible, even if everyone was telling me it was impossible.

"Today I am third and I'm on the podium and I spent most of the rally in second place. I am very happy because with Yamaha we have the reliability we need from the bike. I had a blast.

"The rally was tough but I expected something even more difficult and I had prepared myself accordingly. This is also why I had such fun for the last two weeks."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

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  1. Á GRANDA HELDER; ISO É QUE FOI ROLAR PUNHO; EU SABIA QUE TINHAS QUE FAZER DAS TUAS...
    PARABENS PELA VITORIA NA ETAPA E PELO 5 NA GERAL.
    PELO QUE VI NAS COBERTURAS FOI UM GRANDE EVENTO; PARABENS TAMBEM AO CHILE E ARGENTINA.
    JROD

    From jorge, on Sun 18 Jan 12:54PM

  2. Nice job, Despres. I saw him in Romania, at the Romaniacs, he's a pro.
    Also I wanna congrat the Romanian team Vectra Racing, Verhoeven, Lopez, Casteau. Too bad team leader Marcel Butuza had to retire due to injury. Best result for a Romanian rider, 68th place for Romeo Duicu.
    Mancuso

    From Bogdan, on Fri 9 Jan 11:37AM

  3. Really enjoying the rally! Go on Despres! Would like to know how our Brits are doing though. Incidentally what do you for the rest of the year Carlton Kirby? Also do you translate live? If so, we're very impressed with commentary.
    Jane & Veg - Herts UK

    From eldridge.jane, on Fri 9 Jan 12:45AM

  4. OMG...
    He is short, but Ijust saw his profile on some tal l da ting place ____T allMingle Co m____ where are many hot models and handsome guys.

    From , on Thu 8 Jan 6:51PM

  5. Fantastic coverage, well done all the brits

    How on earth do they ride in that dust????

    Looking forward to tomorrow

    Richard Peck

    From Richard, on Tue 6 Jan 10:57PM

  6. Riders get their road book in the evening prior to the next stage. Then manually go through it and mark it according to their own "best practices". Then place it into their electrically-driven "road book reader" where they can wind it back and forth with buttons on the handlebar, while riding the course!

    From Einar, on Mon 5 Jan 10:35AM

  7. we saw carlos yesterday preparing his road book, how does this work, do they have to move it on manually, or is it autoscrolling?

    From bluebell_prints, on Mon 5 Jan 9:18AM

  8. we saw carlos yesterday preparing his road book, how does this work, do they have to move it on manually, or is it autoscrolling?

    From bluebell_prints, on Mon 5 Jan 9:17AM

  9. Gas d'r bij!!

    From iggyxp, on Sun 4 Jan 4:38PM
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