Coma still leads after Stage 2

From KTM Racing

Over the second short stage of the Dakar 2009 on Sunday victory went to Frans Verhoeven (KTM), 41 seconds ahead of Cyril Despres (KTM) with David Fretigne (Yamaha) third (at 1:04).

Despite running into problems with his oil cooler, Marc Coma (KTM) maintained his overall lead 13:47 ahead of Verhoeven with Fretigne third (at 16:51).

Enjoying a better run than on Saturday, Jordi Viladoms (KTM) moved up from 20th to 11th overall (at 29:28) just ahead of Cyril Despres (at 30:02).

"Everything was going normally and I was looking forward to having another good day when, at about kilometre 100, the oil cooler developed a leak," Coma said. "I knew straightaway ‘cos my face got covered in the stuff! I stopped to make repairs with some magic metal and then kept stopping to check the oil level and ‘borrow' oil from spectators. In the end I was just happy to get to the end.

"Obviously I lost some time but I am still in the lead and it could have been a lot worse. This really is the Dakar and I think every day will be eventful."

Provisional results after 2nd Stage
1. Frans Verhoeven, Netherlands, KTM
2. Cyril Despres, France, KTM
3. David Fretigne, France, Yamaha
4. Jordi Viladoms, Spain, KTM
5. Jonah Street, USA, KTM

Provisional Overall Standings
1. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM
2. Frans Verhoeven, Netherlands, KTM
3. David Fretigne, France, Yamaha
4. Jacek Czachor, Poland, KTM
5. Jonah Street, USA, KTM