Dakar Stage 8: number 2 for Aprilia and Lopez Contardo
The eighth stage meant a connecting ride of 96 km followed by a special of 472 km. Marc Coma (KTM) had only just received the unfortunate news that he was given a six-hour penalty for an unauthorized tire change. But at least the man doesn't hang his head. The victory of this stage was just not possible, he had to leave it for the Chilean Lopez Contardo who once again rode to a stage win with his Aprilia.
Ullevalseter becomes the new number two
For a long time it looked like the Norwegian Ullevalseter would take the win, but in the final phase. After the last checkpoint, Lopez and Coma stepped up their game and made it really close racing. Coma had to give up 42 seconds to Lopez and was followed at just 40 seconds by Ullevalseter. The Frenchman Frétigné followed just three minutes behind the stage winner. Despres came in fifth, 6'43" behind the leader.
Frans Verhoeven rode a great ride and finished 11thde at 22 minutes. Henk Knuiman remains by far the best Dutchman, he turned 15 todayde. Hans-Jos Liefhebber also continues to do well. The Giessenburger is now 30th after eight trips.
Credit photos: Dakarpress.nl & Paulo Calisto/Red Bull Photofiles
The standings after stage 8:
1) Despres
2) Wool roller seats 01:20'31”
3) Lopez Contardo 01:24'21"
4) Rodrigues 01:25'15”
5) Duclos 01:52'29”
6) Fretigné 02:02’33”
7) Street 02:28’32”
8) Pain 02:41’59”
9) Berglund 02:48’41”
10) Pedrero Garcia 02:50'15"
18) Verhoestraete 06:43'12”
The Dutch
21) Knuiman 7:19'59”
30) Enthusiast 08:52’29”
42) De Groot 12:06'17”
46) Vruggink 12:44'25”
48) Snijders 13:26'02”
54) Verhoeven 16:21’14”
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