Dakar stage five: Yamaha domination continues
At the conclusion of day five of the 2013 Dakar Rally, it was Frenchman David Casteu leading the charge, with Rod Faggotter still the leading AussieDavid Casteu (pictured) has continued his winning ways in the 2013 Dakar, the Frenchman taking the win for Team Casteu Yamaha Racing France on day five aboard his Yamaha YZ450F-based machine, with countryman Olivier Pain (Yamaha Racing France) just one minute adrift. KTM’s Joan Pedrero, of Spain, finished in third – a big improvement from his 23rd placing in the previous stage.
The one-two Yamaha finish sees Pain retain his overall slot on top of the leader board, with Casteu one minute behind him, and a further five minutes to yet another Frenchman, KTM’s Cyril Despres.
The stage saw competitors tackle a 411km leg from Arequipa in Peru to Arica in Chile, including a 136km special stage. The latter began at an altitude of over 2000m, before descending to 200m and then climbing back to 800m, with the first 80km conducted in rocky wilderness. Sand made up less than 10km of the entire special section.
“The stage I won in 2010 seems a long time ago,” said Casteu. “I’ve always said to myself that winning a special stage is fabulous. What’s more, winning at the start of the rally when all the riders are still in it is really great. Also, it was on a 136km-long special stage, so today it was like a long sprint. I arrived on this Dakar having taken stock, with the aim of enjoying each moment, each second. I’m 38 years old and I’m going to take every day as it comes. I’m itching to ride flat out and today I had great fun,” he added.
Pain was also upbeat. “It was a good special stage; very dangerous at the beginning with a bit of navigation before a big rocky area,” he said. “The end was more twisting in a canyon with nice tracks and some fesh-fesh [fine dust]. It was a nice stage to ride and I’m still leader. That makes it two days running now,” he said.
The Aussie contingent is currently headed up by Rod Faggotter (Yamaha) in 20th place, followed by Ben Grabham (KTM) in 27th, Warren Strange (Honda) in 28th, Todd Smith (Honda) in 51st, Matt Fish (Husqvarna) in 55th, and Brit-based ex-pat Simon Pavey (Husqvarna) in 79th.
The riders now turn their attention to Stage Six, a gruelling leg of 767km that will take them from Arica to Calama. The 313km liaison section is paired with a 454km of timed special, during which they will brush the Pacific coastline on their way south.
Results: Stage Five – Arequipa to Arica (411km with a 136km of special stage)
1. David Casteu, France, Yamaha, 1:39.42
2. Olivier Pain, France, Yamaha, 1:40.51
3. Joan Pedrero, Spain, KTM, 1:43.07
4, Alessandro Botturi, Italy, Husqvarna, 1:43.09
5. Cyril Despres, France, KTM, 1:43.49
Overall Standings after Stage Five
1. Pain, 11:51.29
2. Casteu, 11:52.44
3. Despres, 11:57.36
4. Faria, 12:05.03
5. Villadoms, 12:05.05
Visit www.dakar.com/dakar/2013/us/stage-5/rankings/overall-bikes.html for full results and standings.
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