Speedbrain Rally Team consolidates positions in Dakar stage 7 12.01.2014: Dakar 2014 7th Stage, Salta - Uyuni 768 km stage including 299 km special test (shortened) The seventh stage of the recent Dakar opened

Dakar 2014 7th Stage, Salta - Uyuni
768 km stage including 299 km special test (shortened)




The seventh stage of the recent Dakar opened the second half of the rally on Sunday with another marathon stage. The route led across the Andes and towards the Bolivian border. The air was again thin, as the riders had to climb up to 3,600 metres altitude.


The 84 remaining motorcycle racers had to stay very concentrated and couldn´t really enjoy the scenic landscape. The layout of the course wasn´t very technical, but the navigation proved extremely demanding with many possible options to choose from.


The start of the divided special test was delayed in the morning because of low-hanging clouds that prevented the helicopters from taking off. For security reasons the organisers shortened the special test.


The four riders of the Speedbrain customer race team kept delivering a controlled and strong performance, again staying out of trouble. The quartet consolidated its positions in the overall classification. Jeremias Israel Esquerre is slowly but surely beginning to eye the podium, while Bolivia´s own "Chavo" Salvatierra may look towards the top ten overall.


The nature of a marathon stage means the riders have to take care of their bikes themselves tonight, before Monday takes them to Calama. It will be one more crucial day, offering a special test of 462 km and a total distance of nearly 700.



Provisional result Dakar 2014, Stage 7:


1. Joan Barreda (ESP, Honda) 03:28:41 hrs
2. Marc Coma (ESP, KTM) +00:04:03
3. Cyril Despres (FRA, Yamaha) +00:05:35
4. Juan Pedrero Garcia (ESP, Sherco) +00:06:57
5. Jakub Przygonski (POL, KTM) +00:08:56
6. Jeremias Israel Esquerre (CHL, Speedbrain) +00:10:04
7. Helder Rodrigues (PRT, Honda) +00:10:57
8. Mario Patrao (PRT, Suzuki) +00:11:27
9. Olivier Pain (FRA, Yamaha) +00:11:37
10. Jordi Viladoms (ESP, KTM) +00:11:57
14. Juan Carlos Salvatierra (BOL, Speedbrain) +00:14:40
20. Paolo Ceci (ITA, Speedbrain) +00:18:46
27. Pedro Oliveira (PRT, Speedbrain) +00:26:14




Provisional overall standings:

1. Marc Coma (ESP, KTM) 26:40:44 hrs
2. Joan Barreda (ESP, Honda) +00:38:14
3. Jordi Viladoms (ESP, KTM) +01:16:03
4. Alain Duclos (FRA, Sherco) +01:16:35
5. Jeremias Israel Esquerre (CHL, Speedbrain) +01:39:29
6. Olivier Pain (FRA, Yamaha) +01:50:42
7. Jakub Przygonski (POL, KTM) +01:54:52
8. Helder Rodrigues (PRT, Honda) +02:08:18
9. David Casteu (FRA, KTM) +02:23:50
10. Cyril Despres (FRA, Yamaha) +02:26:13
16. Juan Carlos Salvatierra (BOL, Speedbrain) +03:49:05
23. Pedro Oliveira (PRT, Speedbrain) +05:58:29
26. Paolo Ceci (ITA, Speedbrain) +06:06:48
 


Bastian Schöner, photos Speedbrain