Dakar along the Pacific Ocean

Stage 9: Antofagasta – Iquique
Road connection: 9 km  - Special Stage : 340 km – Special Stage : 90 km – Road connection : 126 km – Total : 565 km

Antofagasta – Iquique, a new stage of emotions for Dakar competitors that took the race track to Iquique, the duty free area of Chile, situated in the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

The stage was again divided in two parts separated by a neutralized section. Well traced fast tracks, deep fesh-fesh, and delicate navigation to finish with the amazing descend of Iquique, more than 700 km, a giant toboggan that took them straight to the bivouac located next to the Pacific Ocean.

Cyril Despres, started in seventh position, had all the fun chasing Marc Coma, who fought him as best as he could but lost the overall lead by 2’28’’. “I am ready for the combat – tells the French- and I know it will be second by second, but that is not a problem for me. This kind of race works for me.” Marc Coma, next to him, is not ready to let go either. “I opened the road and navigation wasn´t easy. It´s race facts and it makes this sport more interesting. Yesterday, KTM changed our engines after we completed half of the race,” tells the Catalonian rider. Pal Ullevalseter also changed his engine, and the 15 minutes penalty will be applied in the overall standings tomorrow.

Despres takes a new stage victory 3’54’’ over Coma, followed by Barreda 8’28’’ behind, Rodrigues and Gonçalves, Ullevalseter and Svitko. David Casteu  is at km 516 stopped by a mechanical problem.