Dakar : Team Gauloises Racing - Leg 9
Frenchman Cyril Despres captured his second success of this 28th edition of the Dakar. The title holder clocked the fastest time of stage 9 between Nouakchott and Kiffa. Despres beat Marc Coma by 4`07".
After suffering two crashes, the second at km 346, Spaniard Isidre Esteve has been taken by helicopter to a closeby medical center. The Spaniard appears to be injured but his days are not in danger.
Cyril Despres (KTM) - 2nd overall
“What can I say – it is a very sad day for all the members of the KTM family. Since Fabrizio`s accident we have worked hard on improving safety and will continue to do so – particularly with the neck protector we are developing. Like yachtsmen or mountaineers we know that the elements will always be stronger than us, but like them we are driven by our passion.”

Michel Gau (KTM) - 12th overall
“It has been a difficult day. At km 220 Andy (Caldecott) came past me and then a few kilometres further on I came upon him lying on the ground with a medical helicopter next to him. Then after that I came across Isidre (Esteve) and David (Casteu). Isidre seemed ok and David was working on his bike so I carried on to stay as close as possible to Cyril. After seeing both crashes it wasn`t easy to concentrate on the race.”

Eric Bernard (Gauloises KTM Team Manager)
“David Casteu hasn`t returned to the bivouac yet but I know from talking to the organisers and the other riders that he has done a super job. He stayed with Isidre and encouraged him to stop when he could see it was unsafe for him to continue.”

CARS

In the cars victory went to Peterhansel ahead of Alphand with De Villiers third. Overall Peterhansel increases his lead to 9`16 over Alphand with De Villiers third (at 54`16). Thierry Magnaldi (Gauloises Schlesser Ford) was 8th (at 1.15`02) with team mate Jean Louis Schlesser 13th (at 2.10`22). Overall Magnaldi is 6th (at 2.48`42) with Schlesser 8th (at 3.55`43).

Tags: gauloises, cyril-despres, ktm, leg-nine, nouakchott, kiffa, dakar, fabrizio-meoni, accident, crash, die,