Photo: Dakar.com
Team HRC made a spectacular comeback into Dakar racing, with the team's Joan Barreda Bort claiming the victory in Stage 1, Rosario to San Luis, in Argentina.
Though the 37 seconds lead over the multiple Dakar winner Marc Coma is an insignificant one in such early stages, we cannot help looking at Honda in admiration: its been 24 years since the manufacturer last raced in the Dakar.
Third came the 2013 champion, Cyril Despres on his Yamaha, at a comfortable 1'40" distance, followed by Sherco's Alain Duclos and another KTM rider, Paulo Goncalves. Chaleco Lopez was 6th.
Other big names were scattered down the line: Ruben Faria, David Casteu and Jordi Viladoms, all KTM riders in positions 12 through 14, respectively, Yamaha's Olivier Pain in 16th, having to maintain the integrity of his bike after a crash. He was not injured. Helder Rodrigues finished stage in the 22nd position, but the ace is only beginning.
Stage 2 links San Luis with San Rafael, with 366 km (227 miles) of liaison and a grueling 359 km (223 miles) of timed stage on various terrain.
US - Stage 1 - Car/Bike - Stage Summary... de Dakar
Third came the 2013 champion, Cyril Despres on his Yamaha, at a comfortable 1'40" distance, followed by Sherco's Alain Duclos and another KTM rider, Paulo Goncalves. Chaleco Lopez was 6th.
Other big names were scattered down the line: Ruben Faria, David Casteu and Jordi Viladoms, all KTM riders in positions 12 through 14, respectively, Yamaha's Olivier Pain in 16th, having to maintain the integrity of his bike after a crash. He was not injured. Helder Rodrigues finished stage in the 22nd position, but the ace is only beginning.
Stage 2 links San Luis with San Rafael, with 366 km (227 miles) of liaison and a grueling 359 km (223 miles) of timed stage on various terrain.
US - Stage 1 - Car/Bike - Stage Summary... de Dakar
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