As the first rider to get to grips with the 357 km of the 10th stage, Cyril Despres opened the road along the special’s tracks. Attacking throughout, but avoiding taking major risks, the Frenchman set a fast pace for his rivals to match.
Chasing him hard, Joan Barreda proved to be the only rider able to compete with the titleholder’s pace. At the end of the day, following a late charge at the end of the stage, the Spaniard was victorious.
“Today I’m really pleased with my fourth victory in this Dakar,” confirmed Barreda. “I rode very well today, very cleanly and didn’t take any risks once the special got going.” Ending the day as runner up but taking control of the overall classification, Despres remarked…
“I had a little bit of trouble finding my pace this morning but after 30 kilometres or so I could see Barreda coming and thought I’d better open the throttle a bit.
“Today, racing with Barreda, I maybe put too much emphasis on the concentration side of things, but I really enjoyed myself on the bike. And experience has taught me that if you enjoy the riding the rest falls into place.”
Slovakia's Ivan Jakes sits fourth overall in the Dakar Rally after stage 10...
Claiming the win Barreda finished over one minute ahead of Despres and almost three minutes clear of his teammate Paulo Goncalves.
Goncalves showed to be the hero of the day by repairing the machine of his teammate Botturi after the Italian fell. Despite his generosity ‘Speedy’ still finished third while helping Botturi to maintain his top five position in the overall classification.
With Goncalves placing third, the KTM duo of Joan Pedrero and Kurt Caselli completed the top five.
Despres now leads of the overall classification by one minute and 37 seconds from Ruben Faria (KTM). Still ready to spring an ambush, Chaleco Lopez (KTM) remains in third place but 13 minutes and 41 seconds behind the Despres.
Slovakian Ivan Jakes (KTM) is still an incredible fourth overall with Botturi maintaining fifth despite his trouble.
Results – Stage 10
1. Joan Barreda (Husqvarna) 04:43:14; 2. Cyril Despres (KTM) 04:44:29; 3. Paulo Goncalves (Husqvarna) 04:45:58; 4. Joan Pedrero (KTM) 04:47:41; 5. Kurt Caselli (KTM) 04:50:10… 38. Tim Forman (KTM) 05:17:48; 45. Stan Watt (KTM) 05:21:34; 55. Lyndon Poskitt (KTM) 05:29:07; 58. Si Pavey (Husqvarna) 05:31:34; 83. Craig Bounds (KTM) 05:52:33; 91. James West (Sherco) 05:55:53…
Overall Classification (After stage 10)
1. Cyril Despres (KTM) 30:47:04; 2. Rubien Faria (KTM) 30:48:41; 3. Chaleco Lopez (KTM) 31:00:45; 4. Ivan Jakes (KTM) 31:05:25; 5. Alessandro Botturi (Husqvarna) 31:11:29…
