Dakar Update – Despres Wins

Stage 4 of the Dakar has been marred by the death of South African KTM rider Elmer Symons, who crashed 140kms into the special between El Rachidia and Ouarzazate.  He was in 18th place overall at the time of the crash.  The race claimed the life of Australian rider, Andy Caldecott, in 2006 when he crashed on the longest stage from Nouakchott to Kiffa in Mauritania.

Spanish KTM rider Marc Coma won the stage to put himself at the top of the leader board, his second stage win this year.  Cyril Despres recovered from his mechanical problems yesterday to finish 3rd on the stage, but the French KTM rider is now in 6th overall, still some 45 minutes behind Coma after some navigational problems early on. 

KTM riders once again dominated filling the top 5 places.  In total, 17 riders did not finish the stage as the rest of the riders prepare for the 768km haul from Quarzazate to Tan Tan.