Cycle News

Cycle News 2015 Issue 02 January 13 2015

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/445433

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 30 of 119

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.

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Cycle News - Cycle News 2015 Issue 02 January 13 2015