Today’s stage was all about pride. The short 170 km route over the Atacama desert, displayed a rare sprint to the finish between the overall leader Cyril Despres, and fan favorite Marc Coma.
Coma, who has no hope of winning this years Dakar, took advantage of a unique opportunity today, as the top-ten winners of yesterday’s stage started off side by side. Coma, who has had 22 hours of penalties during this years contest, took the opportunity to show everyone that he might be out of the race, but he is still one of the best off road riders around. Coma claimed his third stage win of the 32nd Dakar, and his tenth overall. He now joins an elite group of 14 riders to hold ten or more stage wins.
Despres, who finished just four seconds behind Coma, is also part of that elite group with 22 wins stage wins of his own, and 
although Coma is no longer a contender, Despres acknowledges his skill and determination.
“At the finishing line, there were two possible routes. We each took a different one and finished at almost the same time,” says Despres. “It’s proof that as riders we are very closely matched. In rally-raids, there are very few final sprints, but today, it was a matter of honor…”
Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter remains in second place today, an hour and 21 minutes behind Despres. Portugal’s Helder Rodriguez, and Chilean Lopez Contardo sit within five minutes of the second place leader.
