Stage 9: La Serena – Coppiapo: Coma leads, over for Street 12.01.2009: DAKAR 2009 Stage 9 - Monday 12 January 2009 : La Serena to Copiapo Connection 88 km - Special 449 km 8:29 - Bike 2 - Coma provisionally leads after 57 km

DAKAR 2009 Stage 9 - Monday 12 January 2009 : La Serena to Copiapo
Connection  88 km - Special 449 km


8:29 - Bike 2 - Coma provisionally leads after 57 km
Now that the first 9 bikes have completed 57 km of the day’s special stage, the leader of the general standings, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM), is in the lead, 40 seconds ahead of Chilean rider Lopez and 2.16 in front of Frenchman David Frétigné (Yamaha).

However, it should be noted that the Iritracks of Frenchmen Cyril Despres (KTM), winner of yesterday’s special stage, and David Casteu (KTM) have not provided details of their respective positions for the moment.


07:15 - Bike 26 - It’s all over for Street
Having won his first special stage on a Dakar during the 5th stage, American amateur Jonah Street (KTM) has decided, as a precautionary measure, to not take starter’s orders for the 9th stage this morning, due to a very painful injury to one of his wrists.


07:10 Route modification
Due to very soft sand at the end of the day’s stage, caused by the heat, making it very unstable, and the risk of it becoming nothing more than a giant trap for competitors already tired by a stage which today promises to be very long, the organizers have decided to shorten this 9th special stage by 20km. The finishing line is now at the 430-km mark.


07:05 READY, STEADY, GO!
After stage 8 yesterday, 329 crews – 151 bikes and quads, 116 cars and 62 trucks – officially finished the stage. The total number of official withdrawals has climbed to 171, after 16 crews did not start the 8th stage following the rest day.

As regards the race, French biker Cyril Despres (KTM), who won the 8th stage yesterday, kicked off proceedings for the day’s special at 07.00 as scheduled, followed 2 minutes later by the leader of the general standings, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM).


Stage 9: La Serena – Coppiapo
There are 536.42 km on the menu for the 9th stage, including a 448.9-km timed section, and this is when things get serious, with fast tracks, mountains, but also some imposing dunes to get through, as well as several off-track sections to be negotiated.

It will be an opportunity for the most experienced to show off their navigational skills, but also how adept they are at handling their equipment, which could be capital before a double whammy of two very difficult stages. In these tricky conditions, the Volkswagens will need to drive as a team, whereas in the bike race, leader Marc Coma (KTM) must avoid taking any risks whatsoever and let his rivals do the hard work out on the track in front of him.

Times given in G.M.T. -3

© Amaury Sport Organisation
Photos from Dakar 2009 on automobilsport.com under PHOTOS - OFF ROAD