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Source: sbs.com.au

Marc Coma insists the 2012 Dakar is far from over despite his arch rival Cyril Despres gaining significant time over him on stage 11.

For its arrival in Peru, the Dakar 2012 witnessed Despres win his fourth stage of this year’s rally and gain extra time over Marc Coma, with a lead of now 2’22” in the general standings.

Whilst the Dakar history books will note that Despres was the first rider to win in Peru, the 27th country to welcome the caravan of the world’s biggest rally, the records of today’s stage will also note that the Frenchman gained a bit of breathing space in the general standings between Arica and Arequipa.

Indeed, by settling on catching up with Marc Coma, who set off just before him this morning, then following him all day, the Frenchman put in a strategically perfect performance to pick up his 30th stage victory on the Dakar and more significantly gain 2’01” over the Catalan.

This 11th special stage also saw a strategic battle from the Coma clan, who worked to place its leader in an ideal position before the big special of dunes between Arequipa and Nasca.

Catalan Gerard Farres Guell attacked all along the 478 km of special to finally achieve the second best time of the day, 1’39” behind Despres.

As a result, Farres Guell will start tomorrow in front of his friend Marc Coma, on the 12th stage, allowing Coma the possibility to “easily” regain four minutes over the Frenchman. And Coma said he was looking forward to the challenge.



"I'm going to try my utmost right until the end," Coma said.

"There are three days left to give it everything. It's difficult to define a strategy when Cyril is riding flat out in front. I'll just have to follow him. It won't be flat out, but the pace will again be quick, like it has been since the beginning of the race."

Another Gallic rider Johnny Aubert, promoted to water carrier for Coma after the withdrawal of Pedrero yesterday, also put in a superb performance to record the fourth best time of the day and will now start the next stage just behind his leader.

Behind Despres and Coma, Helder Rodrigues experienced a difficult day after stalling on a river crossing at the 21km point of the special, which led to him losing 7’44” at the finishing line.

The Portuguese rider is still well placed on the third step of the provisional podium with a lead of 16’06” over fourth placed rider Jordi Viladoms.

 

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