There was no question as to who the overall winner of the 32nd Dakar would be. Cyril Despres, who rode by himself for the last few days more than an hour ahead of his closest competitor, finished the final day of Dakar with his last ounces of strength.
“I have been riding this bike for 15 days and I am exhausted,” said Despres. “The little strength I had left just went in tears.”
But the jubilation was not reserved for Despres alone. The KTM nine-man team 
was elated to come out on top. A special prize was also awarded to Despres’s support rider, Ruben Faria, who took the unique and privileged final stage win, his third stage win in a Dakar.
Pal Anders Ullevalseter managed to maintain his lead over Chilean rider, “Chaleco” Lopez to claim second place. Ullevalseter, who has completed 8 Dakar events, finished 7 minutes ahead of the Dakar rookie.
“I may not be the fastest rider but I am experienced,” said Ullevalseter. “I’ve been training for this moment for 25 years.”
Despres and Ullevalseter had riding experience and the proven KTM brand on their side throughout the Dakar. For “Chaleco” Lopez, the third place victory was extra special because it was both his, and his Aprilla made bike’s first Dakar.
“Everyone was telling me I would never finish a Dakar on a brand new bike,” said Lopez. “And here I am on a Dakar podium. I have achievements. I have a career!”
The Dakar, however, is not all about the podium. For 15 days these riders have seen a wide range of terrain, from mountainous roads to sandy dunes. They have battled with each other, the heat, the road, and their bikes. And anyone who participates, and especially finishes a Dakar, has achieved something that most only dream about.
Out of the 150 riders who started the race, only 88 arrived at the finished line. Accidents and mechanical issues forced more than a third of those who competed to drop out from the race, including Dakar veteran, David Casteu.
For those who finished the 32nd Dakar, it is a time of celebration. After months of training, and two weeks in the Atacama desert, the riders now get to bask in the glory of their achievements. According to Pal Anders Ullevalseter. “The party is on for weeks to come now.”
