IN
THE
WIND
P30
BARREDA, COMA DUKING IT OUT
AT DAKAR RALLY
T
he first half of the 2015 Da-
kar Rally proved to be full of
surprises with first-time stage
winners and multiple leaders, as
the rally made its way through
three countries and through the
first marathon stage. The Dakar
Rally came to a dramatic head on
Stage 8, where Red Bull KTM's
Marc Coma finally gained con-
trol, but the Spaniard traveled a
very long and patient road to get
there.
After a very short opening
stage of 100 miles, HRC's Joan
Barreda took quick control of the
Dakar Rally on Stage 2—the lon-
gest timed special of the race.
While Coma was slowed with
tire troubles, Barreda capitalized
on the misfortune of the factory
KTM rider and went ahead to
take a commanding win, over
four minutes ahead of his team-
mate, Paolo Goncalves, and
more than 10 minutes ahead of
Ruban Faria. Coma finished a
conservative sixth place and sat
12 minutes behind Barreda, but
he was in good spirits—not at all
concerned about the time lost to
the Honda rider.
Red Bull KTM's Matthias
Walkner took the win on Stage
3 as riders headed further west
across Argentina toward Chil-
ecito. It was Walkner's first Stage
win in the Dakar Rally, and he
was followed by his teammate,
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
RALLYZONE
BAUER/BARNI
It has taken him eight long
days of racing to get there, but
Red Bull KTM's Marc Coma
leads the Dakar Rally.