Photos and text courtesy of KTM Motorcycles.  Edited by webBikeWorld.

2006 Dakar Rally Motorcycle Results

Stage 2: Portimão to Málaga

Ruben Faria 1st, Esteve 1st Overall

Jan. 1, 2006 - Ruben Faria, who was second in the first stage, has won the second special test of the Dakar 2006.

Over the 115 kilometers between Portimao and the extreme South of the Algarve region, the Portuguese fans fed the rumors of a special prize to be assigned to a native winner in the European part of the race.  But last night Faria was penalized 12 long minutes because of a late entry in the parc fermé.  So the last chance was wasted; in fact, the best overall pilot after two legs is Isidre Esteve, the Spaniard that was a member of the KTM Gauloises Team in last year's Dakar.   In the today’s stage Esteve finished in second position.

Yesterday night Astrid made a call for all the team members and introduced Hans Trunkenpolz.  The general manager wanted to speak to everybody for a moment.  The old “year” was ending and the new was incoming.  A half a hour only between the two years. 

Trunkenpolz spoke for several minutes to the biggest family of this Dakar.  There were some intense moments when he remembered unforgettable Champions Richard Sainct and Fabrizio Meoni, and their memorable exploits. 

Then the “Boss” spoke about the difficulties of the race, and about the meaning of a such a large group.  Cyril Despres, who lived both the glorious and tragic episodes of the strongest team ever seen on the Dakar, was thrilled.  The winner of the last year's rally knows his role perfectly.  And his sensitivity and his talent can flow together in the growth of this family.  Then Mr. Trukenpolz addressed to all the members of the large KTM Team the best wishes of the Factory.  The new year had arrived.

This morning the crew faced the last European day of the Dakar.  The track was similar to the one of the previous stage.  Terrain was slippery because of wet weather conditions and because of the particular sandy ground of the zone.  Many corners and technical passages, fords to be wadded and jumps, and a strong wind added to the challenge.  A demanding test for talent riders and for effective bikes.  Thousand of people along the entire section completed the picture.

Despres preferred to keep a “low profile”, gliding around corners and never forcing the issue.  He closed the special test in eleventh position, but with some advantages acquired for the next stage.  By this way the French Champion will start behind some riders in the first African special test, and this is a good, logical strategy in order to avoid navigation problems.

Marc Coma was fifth today, and he is now second in the overall standing.  He forced a little bit only in the final part of the special test, mainly because of the pleasure he token riding in the enthusiastic atmosphere created by the spectators.

Marc joked with the race until he slipped away in a little fall.  Then he resumed his full concentration.  “It was very exciting to race between this two wings of spectators”, said the Repsol KTM world champion, “You can take a lot of risks also in a short leg like this one.  But I want to ask to you: is not a pure happiness to run in this kind of atmosphere?  Starting from tomorrow things will be so complicated, so let me enjoy this race break.”

The same force has pushed out David Casteu, Gauloises team mate, that is with Michel Gau at his first Dakar as Factory Rider.

Then, after the special test, all the competitors crossed the border between Portugal and Spain, and they complete the stage reaching Malaga.  There a ferryboat is waiting for the long convoy.  Tomorrow the Dakar will change again.  A new continent, Africa, a new Country, Algeria, a new day of racing.  A long stage of 672 kilometers, with a special section of 387.  The first bivouac will maybe reached at night.

Rankings:
Stage 2 - Special: 115 km

Stage 2 Results
1. Faria (KTM) 01:37:07h
2. Esteve Pujol (Gauloises KTM) +01:07
3. Casteu (Gauloises KTM) + 01:28
4. Rodrigues (YAMAHA) + 02:00
5. Coma (Repsol KTM) + 02:08
6. Pellicer (KTM) + 02:28
7. Farres Guell (YAMAHA) + 02:52
8. Goncalves (HONDA) + 03:07
9. Fretigne (YAMAHA) + 03:28
10. Sala (Repsol KTM) + 03:28
11. Despres (Gauloises KTM) + 03:38
12. AgraCarrera (YAMAHA) + 03:44
13. De Gavardo (Repsol KTM) + 03:50
14. Blais (Red Bull USAKTM) + 03:59
15. Mateus (KTM) + 04:01
16. Viladoms (Repsol KTM) + 04:04
17. Grider (Red Bull USAKTM) + 04:34
18. Duclos (KTM) + 04:43
19. Verhoefen (YAMAHA) + 05:05
20. Amaral (KTM) + 05:09
27. Caldecott (Repsol KTM) + 06:00
28. Gau (Gauloises KTM) + 06:06

Overall Results
1. Esteve Pujol (Gauloises KTM) 02:37:24h
2. Coma (Repsol KTM) 02:37:32h + 00:08
3. Rodrigues (YAMAHA) 02:38:07h + 00:43
4. Casteu (Gauloises KTM) 02:38:11h + 00:47
5. Despres (Gauloises KTM) 02:38:55h + 01:31
6. Pellicer (KTM) 02:39:29h + 02:05
7. Fretigne (YAMAHA) 02:39:50h + 02:26
8. Goncalves (HONDA) 02:40:59h + 03:35
9. De Gavardo (Repsol KTM)02:42:15h + 04:51
10. Farres Guell (YAMAHA) 02:42:15h + 04:51
11. AgraCarrera (YAMAHA) 02:42:36h + 05:12
12. Duclos (KTM) 02:42:51h + 05:27
13. Mateus (KTM) 02:43:12h + 05:48
14. Viladoms (Repsol KTM) 02:44:01h + 06:37
15. Street (KTM) 02:44:06h + 06:42
16. Grider (Red Bull USAKTM) 02:44:57h 0+ 07:33
17. Blais (Red Bull USAKTM) 02:45:29h + 08:05
18. Caldecott (Repsol KTM) 02:45:42h + 08:18 Penalty: 02:00
19. Amaral (KTM) 02:45:44h + 08:20
20. Marchini (YAMAHA) 02:46:00h + 08:36
23. Gau (Gauloises KTM) 02:46:20 + 08:56
27. Sala (Repsol KTM) 02:46:56 + 9:32