Declarations
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David Casteu (FRA – KTM – 8th overall)
“Before the start, KTM hired me to help Isidre Esteve to win. Me, I said to my family, that my goal was to have a stage victory, to finish in the Top 10 and to doing well my job. Well, I’ve perfectly done all of this. I won a stage, I finish 8th of the overall standings and I’ve done my job by stopping the Isidre’s race when he hurts himself by falling. For that, I received the Fair Play Super Trophy. I want dedicated it to all the amateurs’ riders, who have more pain than pleasure on this race. Today, I’m really thinking to all of them who haven’t seen the finish line this yearâ€
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David Fretigne (FRA – Yamaha – 12th overall)
“It was a relief to won yesterday’s stage. This Dakar has been very hard compared to my previous ones. For these two first Dakar, I didn’t fall, I didn’t have any technical problem. Maybe it was the beginner’s luck. I am going to analyse everything that happened this year to prepare next year. Actually, I already know that it’s hard to battle alone with a 450 CC.â€
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Marc Coma (SPA - KTM - 1st overall)
"Firstable, I want to dedicate my victory to Andy (Caldecott). It’s a bit difficult to realize now that I’ve just won Le Dakar. But I’ll be able to realize it slowly while thinking of all the people who helped me. I’m going to celebrate this victory with them. Anyway it’s a strange feeling to express. But for sure the victory wouldn’t have been possible without all the members of my team, especially Jordi Arcarons."
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Cyril Despres (FRA - KTM - 2nd overall)
« I have a mixed feeling but it’s more positive than anything else as far as my result is concerned. Of course I lost my title but it’s a real satisfaction to be here on the podium because I thought I would give up after my accident. I can’t forget all the efforts I made to reach Dakar and I’m pretty happy about that. The race was a good "millesime" (vintage) this year. We’ve been spoiled by the organisers. »
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Giovanni Sala (ITA - KTM - 3rd overall)
"Yesterday, it was very difficult. I got lost and was tense since I could see the American. So I took risks and rode fast to make I’ll stay third. And I am on the podium just a few minutes ahead. And I am "contentissimo". I started very safely on this Dakar. I had not breally tested the boke before. The first two stages in Morocco were dangerous, and many riders were riding to fast. But day by day, I felt myself much more at ease and got closer to the leaders. If I had been told in Lisbon that I would be in the top 5 in Dakar, I would have signed for it immediatly. And I am on the podium! Really, it is so great!"
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Carlo de Gavardo (CHI - KTM - 5th overall)
"The most important in this race is to arrive in Dakar. Words can’t express the feeling you have when you reach the Lac Rose. For me, it is the result for all the work we have done for almost one year. Very few people can realise how hard you have to work to be in the top 5.
Being here is fabulous. I am ready to suffer on his bike, so I really appreciate what being here means. Actually, it is unique."
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Being here is fabulous. I am ready to suffer on his bike, so I really appreciate what being here means. Actually, it is unique."
Chris Blais (USA - KTM - 4th overall)
"I’m really happy to finish 4th for my second Dakar, it’s just fantastic. My goal was to do better than last year and I achieved it. I experienced another great adventure, very risky but that’s what I like. We, pilots, obviously knew those risks. The race was more difficult than last year’s one because of long and exhausting "liaisons". I suffered from short sleep. Anyway, I must be crazy because I already want to come back in the race. I do hope I’ll be able to reach the top 3 at Dakar."
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Alain Duclos (FRA/MAL - KTM - 7th overall)
"That was my 5th Dakar and my goal was to finish in the top 10. Therefore I’m really satisfied with my overall ranking. A stage win at Bamako, my birth place, was icing on the cream. I think that the pace of the race was faster and more exhausting than last year’s one. I was not that fit compared with last year. But experience was crucial again".