Marc Coma stage 8 report

Marc Coma grows to the adversity

The pilot AMV Marc Coma (KTM), winner of the 2006 and 2009 editions of the Dakar, has spoken again. This time, on the track and the best way he knows how, driving in a masterly manner. Classy including navigation, the pilot AMV has not let the accusations on him throughout the day yesterday, dilute their concentration. Once again, the pilot has demonstrated his professionalism and his knowledge be, even when things bitter stain color. His pace, unattainable for the pilot race leader Cyril Despres, was ever increasing and despite the wide gap that separates them, the pilot AMV did not let his upward progression is stuck in no time. The difficult day today, saw the fighting spirit and tenacity of a pilot who never takes anything for lost, not even when it has nothing to gain. The 476 km of special, the pilot carried out in a time of 5 hours 30 minutes and 7 seconds, harbored a rocky area at the beginning of the stage, as the trial unfolded, it became a sinuous and fast track increase allowing cruise progressively to reach the many dunes of Copiapo. It was precisely in the dunes where the pilot AMV displaying his magical sailing skills, mixed with the white sand of the Atacama Desert and silently walked toward Copiapo, where he finished second behind the Aprilia rider "Chaleco Lopez. Third was the Scandinavian Ullevalseter (KTM) who came to 1 minute and 22 seconds apart in the Spanish pilot. French rider Cyril Despres could only manage fifth in 6 minutes from the Spanish rider Marc Coma.

His teammate Henk Kniuman, having done a good job to support his partner throughout the entire day, was fifteenth with a time of 6 hours 11 minutes 13 seconds. The new engine that came with both Marc and Henk, was one reason why the Dutchman took things very calmly.

Because of the persistent fog, which until well into the morning completely covers the town of Copiapo, the organization has decided to postpone the departure for 11:00 pm and cut the route, keeping the dunes, where the navigation will be again a major factor to consider. In total, will travel 170 km, with a spectacular line output drivers ranked in the top ten. Behind them, and every five minutes, will the other segmented into groups of 20 drivers. The televised spectacle is assured.

Marc Coma, after 6-hour penalty imposed by the organization is now the general nineteenth in 7 hours and 49 seconds in the championship. His teammate Henk Kniuman is 7 hours twenty-second to 19 minutes and 59 seconds.

-source: marc coma