After a navigationally challenging stage on Day 4, HRC’s Joan Barreda still holds the overall lead in the 2015 Dakar Rally. Photography by HRC.
Riders faced a tricky day full of navigational challenges today at the Dakar Rally, as Stage 4 took riders through the Andes and into the Atacama Desert of Chile. HRC rider Joan Barreda went head-to-head with Red Bull KTM’s Marc Coma today, as they lead the way into the dunes. While Coma attempted to make up for time lost on Day 2 of the rally, it was Barreda who eventually topped the Stage, and managed to put another two minutes on the field.
“I’m delighted,” Barreda said. “The first part of the stage was very fast, but also complicated. Marc [Coma] was ahead and it was very difficult to catch up with him. I stayed focused and motivated. I caught up with him toward 100km and eased into a solid pace. We tackled dunes and navigation was difficult. I’ve got a good strategy; we’re in control. The next few days will be extremely tough. Actually there’s a big chunk of Dakar left and we know there are tricky situations ahead. We know that if we keep an eye on Marc, we’ll follow a strong pace, because he’s the reference.”
Can Marc Coma catch the HRC’s flying Spaniard? Photo by RallyZone Bauer/Barni
Unfortunately for the HRC team, Barreda’s teammate Paolo Goncalves had a tough day, and lost nearly 15 minutes during Stage 4. Goncalves crossed the finish line in 12th place today, allowing Coma to slip into the runner-up position in overall standings. Despite the time deficit, Goncalves still sits third overall.
The dunes of the Atacama Desert dealt out punishment to a number of riders, including Ruben Faria who lost 11 minutes today, and fellow KTM rider Jordi Viladoms, who lost over 10 minutes. The duo still sit fourth and fifth in overall standings, but effectively doubled their time deficits from the leader today.
But Stage 4 wasn’t all bad news… Pablo Quintanilla had an outstanding day, finishing third overall and vaulting himself into the top-10 overall. HRC’s Laia Sanz had a historic finish in Stage 4 as she piloted her Honda CRF450 RALLY to eighth on the day. The X Games Enduro X medalist now sits an impressive 12th in overall standings.
As the battle between Honda and KTM continues, two other brands have made their presence known inside the top-10 today. Frenchman Alain Duclos piloted his Sherco to a 7th place finish in Stage 4 and now sits 9th in the overall standings. Yamaha’s Michael Metge finished 10th on the day, and sits 14th overall after four long days of Dakar Rally racing.
Tomorrow riders depart from Copiapo and head north through Chile toward Antofagasta. High speed sections and the dreaded “fesh fesh” (silt) await racers in what will be a short transfer section of 149 miles (239km), and a 285-mile (458km) special test.
Dakar Motorcycle Results – Stage 4
1. Joan Barreda (Hon)
2. Marc Coma (KTM)
3. Pablo Quintanilla (KTM)
4. Jordi Viladoms (KTM)
5. Ruben Faria (KTM)
6. Javier Pizzolito (Hon)
7. Alain Duclos (Shr)
8. Laia Sanz (Hon)
9. Stefan Svitko (KTM)
10. Michael Metge (Yam)
Provisional Standings After Stage 4
1. Joan Barreda (13:10:33)
2. Marc Coma (+12:49)
3. Paolo Goncalves (+20:29)
4. Ruben Faria (+23:05)
5. Jordi Viladoms (+24:51)
6. Pablo Quintanilla (+30:42)
7. Toby Price (+32:05)
8. Matthias Walkner (+33.28)
9. Alain Duclos (+36:31)
10. Helder Rodrigues (+39:05)
