Coma takes dramatic Stage win

From KTM Racing

Friday's Dakar Stage 12, won by KTM factory rider Marc Coma will go down in the record books as one of the most hotly contested stages of the 2011 edition of the Rally.       
       
At the end of a very long day on the bike, the Spanish rider prevailed over his nemesis, French-born Cyril Despres by just 37 seconds. It was the Spanish rider's fifth stage victory in the 33rd edition of the rally and his 16th career Dakar stage win.

If Coma takes the coveted trophy in Buenos Aires on Saturday he will have his third Dakar title and level the score with 2010 winner Despres. The victory will also give KTM its 10th victory, thus recording a major milestone for the Austrian brand.

Despres, who won his third stage on Thursday, had the job of opening the road. He fought tooth and nail to try to get the edge on Coma, but the Spaniard kept a cool head and stayed within striking distance the entire day. Despres even managed at one point to stretch the lead over Coma to two minutes 30 seconds at around the halfway mark. But in the end it was Coma's day and could well now be his rally.

There were no mishaps for the Spaniard, who rode cleanly and efficiently. He was careful to avoid any navigational errors and waited till the end of the stage before he made his attack on Despres. While the two have fought a battle of attrition throughout the rally, they are now head and shoulders above the rest of the field. Third is currently Chaleco Lopez of Chile, just short of an hour behind Coma with the next rider, Portugal's Helder Rodrigues at one hour 42 minutes.

Despres was philosophical at the end of the 555km ride saying he had to go on the attack.

"At least it's good to not have any regrets," he explained. "I gave it everything I had and it was a long day. It must have rained a lot last night because the tracks were churned up with lots of mud. It was hellish.

"My chances are looking slimmer though. After a day like that with 555km to cover and opportunities to open up gaps, we more or less cancelled each other out. Mind you, it's not the end of the world, you know, you have to keep things in perspective."

Saturday for the final stage from Cordoba to Buenos Aires riders have to tackle a 645km link and a relatively short 181km special, which finishes at the Baradero racing track in the Argentinean capital.

Stage 12 Results
1. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM 6:42:42
2. Cyril Despres, France, KTM, at 00:37
3. Helder Rodrigues, Portugal, Yamaha, 7:21
4. Chaleco Lopez, Chile, Aprilia at 10:03
5. Quinn Alexis Cody, USA, Honda, 15:45
6. Ruben Faria, Portugal, KTM, at 16:57

Standings after Stage 12
1. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM
2. Cyril Despres, France, KTM, at 16:36
3. Chaleco Lopez, Chile, Aprilia at 59:27
4. Helder Rodrigues, Portugal, Yamaha, 1:42:31
5. Juan Pedrero, Spain, KTM at 3:06:00
6. Pal Anders Ullevalseter, Norway, KTM, 3:31:21
7. Jean De Azevedo, Brazil, KTM, 3:50:35
8. Ruben Faria, Portugal, KTM, at 4:06:43