Romain Dutu: “First Dakar, first stage victory”

Dakar 2020 | Stage 5 | ALULA > Ha'il
January 9 ^th 2020 - 16:36 [GMT + 3]

Now riding in the Dakar Experience format and not included in the general standings, Romain Dutu did not miss out on the opportunity of grabbing his first stage victory in Ha’il.

“It’s great, after I started, within 40 or 50 km, I caught Alexandre Giroud, overtook him and we carried on passing other riders together. After 200 km I overtook Casale and I realised I was first. I didn’t let up at all until the finish. I’m rather happy: first Dakar, first stage victory. I stayed focused, followed the tracks I could see and was careful of the dust. On some sections, I saw other guys holding back a little to keep a bit of energy saved up, so I took advantage and attacked a bit more”.