Dakar day one: Grabham 11th
The Australian has made a solid start to his second Dakar campaign, and is just two seconds outside the top 10 on his KTM 450 rally machineAussie desert racing star Ben Grabham (KTM) has finished day one of the 2014 Dakar Rally in 11th place among the 172-strong motorcycle field.
The Bathurst rider finished the 180km competitive stage with a time two hours, 30 minutes and 21 seconds (2.30:21), 4:40 seconds in arrears of Spaniard Joan Barreda Bort (Honda), who won the stage from multiple Dakar winners Marc Coma (KTM) and Cyril Despres (Yamaha).
The 36th edition of the world’s biggest off-road race gave competitors 405km to settle in as they departed from Rosario, Argentina towards the first special stage of 180km, followed by a further 224km connection to the bivouac in San Luis.
Grabham used the day to get a feel for his new factory support team KTM450 Rally and try to improve his start position for tomorrow. Both goals were achieved.
“I started off 32nd and the special was slippery mountain gravel roads – very dusty and no room for error,” said Grabham. “I took my time in the dust and pushed a little where I could see and finished 11th. I’m happy with this, as it gives me a better starting position tomorrow and I’m up amongst the faster riders.
“My first ride on the dirt with the new bike was also pretty good. I’m going to make some small suspension adjustments to better suit me but other than that it’s very nice to ride.”
Shane Diener (Yamaha) was the second fastest Aussie in stage one, finishing 44th, 21 minutes behind Bort.
Stage two includes a 359km competitive stage which will take the riders back up to 2000m to race around Sierra Navado before their first taste of sand and dunes – 60km of them.
2014 Dakar Rally Stage 1, Rosario, Argentina. Result and overall rankings:
1. J.Barreda Bort (ESP) Honda 02:25:31
2. M.Coma (ESP) KTM 02:26:08 00:00:37
3. C.Despres (FRA) Yamaha 02:27:11 00:01:40
4. A.Duclos (FRA) Sherco 02:27:27 00:01:56
5. P.Goncalves (PRT) Honda 02:27:56 00:02:25
6. F.Lopez Contardo (CHL) KTM 02:28:55 00:03:24
7. J.Pedrero Garcia (ESP) Sherco 02:29:18 00:03:47
8. M.Metge (FRA) Yamaha 02:30:04 00:04:33
9. S.Sunderland (GBR) Honda 02:30:04 00:04:33
10. A.Botturi (ITA) Husqvarna 02:30:19 00:04:48
11. B.Grabham (Aus) KTM 02:30:21 00:04:50
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