Declarations
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Marc Coma (N°2 - KTM Repsol – 3ème) :
“This first stage was quite difficult because of the strong rains of the past three days. We had some problems of grip. I tried not to take too many risks. So I’m very happy of this result. The motorbike is quite comfortable to ride, I had some very good feelings. Actually, I am very confident about my bike for the end of the race.”
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Cyril Despres (KTM Gauloises – 1st)
“At last we have started after eleven months of a long wait. Today we have had a real stage of 80 km and things went on quite well for me even if these first kilometres were not easy. I had to get used to the alarm which warns you when you are over 150 km/h. I was not absolutely focused on winning the stage since I though the Portuguese would be the fastest here. But I feel at ease on the bike. KTM has made a very good job. But for me, it is quite a surprise to finish first.”
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Ruben Faria (POR - KTM – 2nd)
“I was so happy to see all these people along the road which I know pretty well because I live here in the Algarve area. I couldn’t have better dreams (…) I had already competed against Cyril Despres in Portugal, he is so strong, I’ll be far away from him as soon as Morocco. So I had great fun today. Even if I didn’t want to take risks, I had a good feeling on my motorbike, I drove fast. I still have the goal to reach Dakar without any big problem (…) The dream comes true. Yesterday, I was almost crying while sitting close to Peterhansel during a briefing in Lisbon”.
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David Frétigné (FRA - YAM – 6th)
“This first special was great fun to race. I started a little bit too fast and I calmed down later. There were so much people along the road that I felt like riding on the Tour de France, it was really impressive, I was just looking around me while riding. Therefore the race remained dangerous for technical reasons and mud. Sometimes I just couldn’t see the road and it made it difficult to overtake other competitors. I had to be careful”.
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Helder Rodrigues (POR - KTM – 4th)
“I’m very happy since I hadn’t tested the bike. It was finished last week since two month ago I didn’t know I would do the Dakar. And it is a perfect bike. I felt very early that things were going on well for me because I overtook at least fifty riders. I was very enthusiastic but I remained focused until the end. And tomorrow, I will start in a good position”.