After nine stages of Dakar 2012 three-times champion Marc Coma is neck-and-neck with race leader Cyril Despres. Marc gives us his thoughts ahead of the final push…
I’m really happy today because Cyril [Despres] started some distance back from me among the pack. This meant he had the opportunity to take back some minutes, which he did, but it’s not as bad as I expected it to be. I'm feeling cheerful because it was a very long stage today and I was the first bike out there, which meant it was my job to open the road.
It’s another stage down and I’m still feeling comfortable. There’s still plenty of racing to be done at this Dakar but until now I’ve been happy with how I’m riding. The result is still a long way from being decided, but even if I win or not I’m happy with the race I have ridden so far.
"It’s not easy to be this competitive over a long race but my team is proving that they are capable of keeping me at the top"
The whole group, including my team-mate Joan [Pedrero] and the mechanics, can be very proud of the job we are doing. Everyone is giving their best in the push towards Lima. Nobody can ask for more than that. It’s not easy to be this competitive over a long race but my team is proving that they are capable of keeping me at the top.
Some stages go to the normal plan. For example, I start first and then Cyril will catch up two minutes on me, then the next day it’s the other way around. But these long stages can throw up completely unpredictable results. You have to remember that Peru is a new country for all of us so I expect there are more surprises to come. I don’t think things will be as clear-cut, not now the game is changing.
Keep tabs on Marc’s 2012 Dakar Rally on Red Bull’s dedicated desert classic website.
Want more?
- Marc Coma's Red Bull profile
- Head to his official website at marccoma.com
- Go to the official website of the Dakar Rally 2012
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