Cyril Despres Stage 13 Dakar
Cyril Despres Stage 13 Dakar
Stage 13
La Serena > Valparaíso
Connection 122 km
Special stage 157 km
Connection 256 km
Total 535 km
Fighting all the way to the end Cyril Despres (Yamaha Factory Racing) posted the fastest time on the last special and came to within 35 seconds of the podium, before being reclassified 5th on the stage, following a 5 minute speeding penalty. Finally 4th overall, his support rider Michael Metge finished 7th on the stage to be classified 13th overall.
Cyril Despres
“I attacked so hard on the special that my front disc got really hot, causing the pick up on my tripmeter to malfunction. It meant that I didn’t have the right information on my navigation equipment, which in turn made following the road book difficult – hence my speeding penalty. Still, I have the satisfaction of knowing I gave it my absolute maximum. Congratulations to Olivier (Pain). He rode a really good race and thoroughly deserves his podium place – a reward for all the effort the team have put into the rally programme.”
Michael Metge
“Obviously I am delighted to have made it to the finish of what everybody says was an exceptionally hard Dakar. I am also really pleased to have spent it in the company of Cyril and been able to learn so much from him. He has been extremely generous with his many years of experience and for me the whole process has been extremely rewarding – I am sure it will prove very useful in the future. Thank you also to the whole team, both here and back at home, for all the hard work they have put in.”