Photo: Dakar.com
Here we are at the end of the Stage 4 of the 2013 Dakar rally. This day was a long one, with the riders having to cover a 429 km special stage coupled with a 289 km liaison. The fourth Dakar day’s winner is Husqvarna/ Speedbrain Spaniard Joan Barreda Bort, making a nice comeback after yesterday’s modest presence.
Barreda Bort is now in overall 4th position, 2 minutes behind Frenchman favorite Cyril Despres, who finished in position 15 today. Overall rankings top three have changed with French Pain (Yamaha) as a leader, followed by fellow countryman Casteu, also riding a Yamaha bike and another French in third position, the KTM rider Despres.
French Olivier Pain declared he caught up with the leading pack on the last portion of the stage, seeing from atop of a valley the way the forerunners were straying from the right path. So he charged on and was able to gain precious time.
A notable 4 position at the end of Stage 4 for Spanish rider Farres Guell, and the Honda riders Pizzolito and Rodrigues finishing in positions 7 and 5, respectively, and now placed in the 15th and 16th overall positions.
While Barreda Bort seems happy with the fact that he didn’t break any spokes as he did yesterday, Despres is calm and says he’s racing at his own pace and following closely a well-thought strategy.
Tomorrow’s Stage 5 links Arequipa and Arica, with 275 km of connection and 136 km of special stage. Stay tuned for more Stage 4 stories soon.
French Olivier Pain declared he caught up with the leading pack on the last portion of the stage, seeing from atop of a valley the way the forerunners were straying from the right path. So he charged on and was able to gain precious time.
A notable 4 position at the end of Stage 4 for Spanish rider Farres Guell, and the Honda riders Pizzolito and Rodrigues finishing in positions 7 and 5, respectively, and now placed in the 15th and 16th overall positions.
While Barreda Bort seems happy with the fact that he didn’t break any spokes as he did yesterday, Despres is calm and says he’s racing at his own pace and following closely a well-thought strategy.
Tomorrow’s Stage 5 links Arequipa and Arica, with 275 km of connection and 136 km of special stage. Stay tuned for more Stage 4 stories soon.
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