Dakar Update – Despres Wins
Stage 9 – Janis Vinters took the stage win. Who? The guy that finished 15th last year, that's who. The Latvian KTM rider slaughtered the rest of the field, finishing over 7 minutes ahead of Cyril Despres.
Marc Coma came in an ever consistent 3rd place and providing he avoids the gearbox problems that have plagued some other KTM riders, it's hard to see anyone taking the win from him.
Despres is still confident, but it doesn't look good for the Frenchman, who is now not too far short of an hour behind Coma. Surely Coma needs a mechanical problem for Despres to make up that much time.
In the 450 class, Portugal's Helder Rodrigues holds down first spot on the 2 wheel drive WRF.
Tichit to Nema was a very demanding and technical stage which has taken it's toll on both riders and machines. Stage 10 is a short 400km stage with a 366 special and lots more dunes. Expect to see some more withdrawals, it'll be tough.
