2007 Dakar Rally Stage 5 Results
Stage 5:
Ouarzazate - Tan Tan
January 10, 2007 - KTM Team Report
The Dakar Rally is only five days old, but the real race
begins tomorrow.
That’s what Marc Coma (KTM Repsol) believes. Last
year's winner Coma took the lead in the standings and is satisfied with
that.
"The stages in Morocco gave me confidence, but it was just
the beginning. These days have been a matter of keeping everything in
one piece, not make mistakes and don’t take any risks."
The start of today's special section gave the riders a view
of complete emptiness in the Atlas Mountains. And after that the piste
was covered with stones and rocks, in every thinkable size and type.
Fastest rider today was KTM Gauloises ace Isidre Esteve,
second in the overall standings at almost ten minutes behind countryman
Coma.
"I really enjoyed myself over the first 50 kilometers – the
terrain reminded me of the countryside around where I live and where I grew
up riding enduro bikes – perhaps that is why I went well today. Then
at about km 60 I came up into Marc Coma’s dust and sat behind him until the
finish line – the track was too tricky and dusty to attempt an overtaking
move."
Results of today's special from Quarzazate to Tan Tan:
Chris Blais - U.S.A.
Chris took a strong 5th place in the 5th stage and has dropped one spot to 5th place overall!
After a night on his own, with no assistance from Red Bull
KTM technician Matt Spencer or guidance from team physician/manager Doc
Edwards, Chris stuck to his careful plan by maintaining a brisk pace but
avoiding pitfalls that can quickly end the event. According to
Edwards, Chris is in excellent condition, still very focused and motivated.
"When I finally saw Chris at he end of the Stage 5 special,
he looked great; very alert." Said Edwards. "He's really riding a
smart race and saving himself for the next couple of marathon stages that
will serve to thin our the field. Between now and the weekend, there
will be some very rugged challenges ahead. But Chris is ready for them."
Results Stage 5 - Ouarzazate - Tan Tan:
2007 Dakar Rally - Stage 5 KTM Results
| Rank
|
Rider |
Nation |
Bike
|
Time
|
| 1 |
Esteve Pujol
|
SPA
|
KTM
|
3.56.22
|
| 2 |
Marc
Coma |
SPA
|
KTM
|
3.58.16
|
| 3 |
Cyril
Despres
|
FRA
|
KTM
|
4.01.24
|
| 4 |
Jordi
Viladoms
|
SPA
|
KTM
|
4.07.12
|
| 5 |
Chris
Blais |
USA
|
KTM
|
4.10.48
|
| 8 |
David
Casteu
|
FRA
|
KTM
|
4.11.38
|
| 9 |
Giovanni Sala
|
ITA
|
KTM
|
4.14.58
|
| 11
|
Frans
Verhoeven
|
NED
|
KTM
|
4.15.53
|
2007 Dakar Rally - Overall KTM Standings at Stage 5
| Rank
|
Rider |
Nation |
Bike
|
Time
|
| 1 |
Marc
Coma |
SPA
|
KTM
|
14.08.48
|
| 2 |
Esteve
Pujol
|
SPA
|
KTM
|
14.18.44
|
| 3 |
David
Casteu
|
FRA
|
KTM
|
14.46.29
|
| 4 |
Cyril
Despres
|
FRA
|
KTM
|
14.56.21
|
| 5 |
Chris
Blais |
USA
|
KTM
|
14.56.24
|
| 6 |
Jordi
Viladoms
|
SPA
|
KTM
|
15.15.58
|
| 7 |
Frans
Verhoeven
|
NED
|
KTM
|
15.18.01
|
| 13
|
Giovanni Sala
|
ITA
|
KTM
|
15.36.54 |
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