Declarations
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Giovanni Sala (ITA – KTM – 1st)
"I am very happy about this victory. Today’s stage was very fast and dangerous, with many holes. So, I avoided taking too many risks. Then, in the mountains, it looked like an enduro course. And enduro is my business (laugh). When I reached the refueling, I saw that Blais was already there and I worried a bit. So, I attacked as much as possible until the end to protect my third place in the overall ranking."
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Alain Duclos (FRA – KTM – 3rd)
"Today, I had to keep an eye on Rodrigues to protect my advantage on him in the 450 CC overall standing. He started ahead of me so I had to attack to catch him up. And as a result I think I gain another couple of minutes on him. It’s great but not enough to be totaly comfortable. I am quite surprised of my third place in the special. I didn’t like the stage. There was to much trial for me. I was not at ease and felt like I was riding quite slowly. But obviously, it was enough."
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Cyril Despres (FRA – KTM - 2nd)
"It was a nice stage. The first 40 kilometres were quite dangerous because of the huge crowd on each side of the laterite track. So I didn’t attack. But then, for about 120 kilometres, the track was half enduro, half trial, and it was much more enjoyable in spite of our heavy material. I rode the whole stage in front of Coma who remained in my dust. A little problem: my feet hit something and twisted. Luckily, I have very good protections, so I am OK."
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Marc Coma (SPA – KTM – 4th)
"I enjoyed this stage. Beautiful and technicaly demanding. I only had a little problem at kilometre 260, when I hit a stone. The stage didn’t require special navigation skills. I am happy, but nothing’s been done yet. I know that tomorrow’s stage can have many surprises in store. What is important in a rally-raid like the Dakar, is that you have to be focused on your goal every day until the end and control your emotions."
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Jonah Street (USA - KTM - 5th)
"Another good day for me on a stage even faster than yesterday’s, but sometimes a bit dangerous. I stopped when I saw Azevedo on the ground and stayed with him for about five minutes. Except a tiny mistake, I have been almost perfect in navigation. Actually, I improve every day. For me, the rally should last one more week to enter the top 10."