by Terry Hibberd
See more at: www.RedBull.com/Dakar
Red Bull KTM rider Cyril Despres today wrapped up his fifth Dakar rally victory making him joint second in the all time winners list for the prestigious event, just one away from equalling the record of the Dakar legend, Stéphane Peterhansel.
Despres took his first back to back titles by finishing the final stage of what has been an eventful race, in 17th place with fellow Red Bull KTM rider, Ruben Faria, taking the win and finishing in second place overall, making it the perfect ending to the Dakar for the Red Bull KTM Factory team.
‘Chaleco’ Lopez was to make it a Red Bull sponsored top three but there was no getting away from the supreme performances of Faria and Despres who overcame problems with his engine during the rally as well as the pressure of the world’s media scrutinizing his every move and he’s certainly has the ambition to do it again.
“The day when winning the Dakar becomes easy, it won’t be interesting any more. And this day is still far! It’s too long, it’s too tough, it’s too hot, it’s too cold, you’ve got to rise early in the morning, you’ve got to find your way out of the dune mazes in Peru and Chile, you’ve got to tackle the stones and cactuses on the courses near Córdoba… It’s just too tricky for it to be easy to win.” Despres said.
“I went for it, with all the surprises a Dakar can throw at you: little navigational mistakes, perhaps fewer than the others, dosing my motorcycle and a good team. In the end, I’ve got a good reason to be very happy.”
His teammate Faria became the most successful Portuguese rider in the history of the rally by bringing his Red Bull KTM home in second place overall and there was no escaping how proud he is.
“Yesterday I lost second place and I thought that just being on the podium was great for me, Cyril Despres’ lieutenant. It could never happen, it’s inconceivable, I’m over the moon.”
Full stage 14 results and final overall standings are available here.
See more at: www.RedBull.com/Dakar
