With a comfortable lead Frenchman Despres took thing easy in the 12th stage of the 2013 Dakar, preferring to rather help his team mate Ruben Faria and remain on the safe side to taking unnecessary risks.
Despres holding Lopez back got Faria the chance to extend the gap separating him and the Chilean rider with 3 more minutes. Dutch Frans Verhoeven was however the guy who took advantage of all this, and pressed on, securing his first stage win in the present Dakar.
Despite his injury in Stage 11 and initial gloomy predictions, Joan Barreda Bort not only took the start, but has also come in third at the end of the stage, after leading the pack for a while. Barreda took the lead after Botturi got lost and was forced into a 7 km detour; the Husqvarna rider chose the wrong track 50 km later and lost the lead... just the typical Dakar misfortunes we get to see ever so often.
Overall standings see Despres in the first position with a 5'30" lead over Ruben Faria, followed by Lopez, Jakes and Botturi.
Despite his injury in Stage 11 and initial gloomy predictions, Joan Barreda Bort not only took the start, but has also come in third at the end of the stage, after leading the pack for a while. Barreda took the lead after Botturi got lost and was forced into a 7 km detour; the Husqvarna rider chose the wrong track 50 km later and lost the lead... just the typical Dakar misfortunes we get to see ever so often.
Overall standings see Despres in the first position with a 5'30" lead over Ruben Faria, followed by Lopez, Jakes and Botturi.
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