Ruben Faria started off the 2011 Dakar Rally with a fantastic stage one victory. That victory, however, was taken away after a small speeding penalty was assessed. But the Portugal rider has managed to take another stage win, and put KTM back at the top of the podium after Paulo Goncalves' victory yesterday for Yamaha.
Faria beat out Helder Rodrigues by 50 seconds to claim today's stage win as the Dakar riders made their way from Iquique to Arica.
"It was a very tough stage, very long and bumpy," Faria said. "I started at my own pace, so until the refueling stop I probably lost some time. After that I accelerated. 124 miles from the finish, I overtook Despres, Coma, Rodrigues and Chaleco. I stayed with them, so I think I should have won. As Cyril's water carrier, I always ride sensibly, but there are times when I can take advantage of the situation. I started seventh this morning and that helped me. I think Cyril will be happy for me."
Cyril Despres finished third behind Faria and Rodrigues, but Despres was happy to just finish the stage. Despres' bike was having mechanical issues throughout the stage, and he feared that the bike wouldn't make it to the end.
"It was a very difficult stage for me. I've had vibrations in the engine for 220 km so the rest day will do the machine and rider a world of good," Despres said. "I don't know what caused it. After the refuelling point, the bike started to vibrate and I didn't know whether to stop or not, in case the engine was going to blow. I slowed down a bit and in the end I finished at the same time as the others. Honestly, it's a miracle that I finished. The only positive thing is that I'm here, but it was squeaky-bum time for 200 km and that's not reassuring."
Marc Coma finished in fourth place, a minute and a half behind Despres. Coma was also awarded some extra time as he stopped to help Olivier Pain yesterday, who crashed and broke his wrist.
