Despres Sits Comfortable at Dakar

For one week the riders at the Dakar have struggled through injuries and mechanical problems. The last day before the break will bring the riders 641 km, the longest stage in the rally, back to Antofagasta. With tired bones and tired bikes, all of the riders are looking forward to a day of rest alongside the Pacific.

Perhaps no one will appreciate tomorrow’s day of rest more than the overall leader, Cyril Despres. Despres, who sits on top of an hour long lead, finished today’s stage without his shock absorbers.
“At km 150 I entered a large ditch and exploded the hydraulics of my shock absorber,” says Despres. “I took all the shocks in my arms, my wrists, my neck. It was really hard before but it became close to unbearable at this point.”

Despres beat out Marc Coma for the 7th stage win by only 29 seconds. This is the second stage win this year for Despres, and his 22nd in a Dakar.

Coma, who has had a rough first week, climbs the last two spots into second place in the overall standings. Still an hour behind, he has a lot of ground to make up after the break.

“We made it to the rest day,” says Coma. “We will be able to tend to the bike. We made it half way through the raid.”