More than half way into the 2014 Dakar, Honda claims another stage win, with Joan Barreda Bort riding almost flawlessly and stealing the lead after the first 92 km (57 miles). He retained the first position at the finish line, followed by KTM's Marc Coma, roughly 4 minutes slower.
Sherco's Alain Duclos could ave made it on the stage podium, but his mistakes cost him more than 8 minutes and allowed other riders to squeeze in. Despres and Yamaha finished third, with Pedrero Garcia ad Przygonski for top 5. The special stage was shortened for both bikes and quads due to the poor weather conditions.
The general ranking sees Marc Coma in the first position, followed by Barreda, Viladoms, Duclos and Israel Esquerre for top 5. Despres climber to the 10th position, but is still almost 2 and a half hours behind the leader and should get to winning if a claim to a podium position is to be made.
Stage 8 links Salta/ Uyumy and Calama and kicks off with a massive timed route of 462 km () and a final 24 km liaison. The 2014 Dakar reaches Chile.
We also extend out condolences to Eric Palante's friends and relatives. The 50-year-old Belgian was racing in the Dakar rally for the 11th time, as was searched for after failing to show up at the start line of Stage 6.
He was found dead at kilometer 143 in the Stage 5 timed section. He had water with him, and the cause and circumstances of his death are investigated by a local judge.
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