Fast start for Faria at Dakar

From KTM Racing

KTM rider Ruben Faria of Portugal took line honours in the first stage of the 33rd edition of the Dakar Rally on Sunday as riders settled in for the first competitive stage of this 16-day test of man and machine. Faria, co-rider in title holder Cyril Despres' team led in the remaining three KTM factory riders, who were separated by only two minutes, 13 seconds.    
       
Riders had a very early start out of the first bivouac at Victoria and set out for the day at first light for 566km of road riding and a timed special of 192km. At the end of the day it was Marc Coma in third place and his co-rider Juan Pedrero in fourth place.

Although it was an auspicious start for the four KTM riders, who this year compete for the first time on the newly developed KTM 450 Rally bike, there was only just over four minutes separating the top 10 finishers. The 2011 edition of the world's most famous rally, in which KTM hopes to secure its 10th title, is expected to be very competitive and hard fought. Organizers have also stated that the more difficult stages will be in the second half of this 16-day event to raise the stakes and heighten the challenge.

The stage victory was Faria's fourth career stage win in Dakar rallies. He said at the end of the day that he had managed to keep a good speed throughout the ride in what was territory similar to what he is used to back home in Portugal.

"I did better today than many great riders with different riding styles and it is already a good point of reference. I am also very happy to see that my team-mate Cyril Despres also made excellent time," Faria commented after the top riders had finished.

Despres, who if successful at the end of the competition will bag his fourth Dakar trophy, was also satisfied at the end of the first competitive stage. He was second out of the start gate at first light just after Coma. The riders had to be awake at around 3.00am for the 4:20am start as light broke over Argentina in what is the height of the summer in the southern hemisphere.

Clearly satisfied with his day's ride Despres said the special stage had been "really great fun. It was a great warming-up exercise; a winding route, big sliding sections, a mix between skiing and riding. You always wonder what it will be like at the beginning of a Dakar, especially now that all the top riders are on 450cc bikes. Is this going to change much? Even if we tested our bikes, a Dakar will always be a Dakar. The race is on now and staying focused is of the essence."

Monday and Stage Two brings new challenges, taking the riders from Cordoba north to San Miguel de Tucuman over 440km of road and a special of 300km. They will enter forested areas and encounter a track that organizers say will offer plenty of jumps.

Stage 1 Results
1. Ruben Faria, Portugal, KTM
2. Cyril Despres, Andorra, KTM at 00:00.29
3. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM, 00:01.15
4. Juan Pedrero, Spain, KTM, 00:02:13
5. Paolo Goncalves, Portugal BMW, 00:02.18
6. Jonah Street, USA, Yamaha, 00:03.07
7. Francisco Lopez, Chile, Aprilia, 00:03.14
8. Jose Rodrigues, Brazil, BMW, 00:03.23
9. Jordi Viladoms, Spain, Yamaha, 00:04.11
10. Frans Verhoeven, Netherlands, 00:04.23