- STAGE 11 – SALTA – TERMAS DE RIO HONDO 15th January
- Liaison Sections: 161 km
- Racing Stage: 351 Km
- Total Distance: 512 Km
What happened Wednesday 14th January at the Dakar 2015:
It was the start of the second marathon stage of the rally, Matthias Walkner retired with stomach issues and dehydration. The crossing of the Andes for the second time was bitterly cold with temperatures reaching minus 11.
Marc Coma retained his lead, finishing 1 minute 39 seconds behind stage winner Joan Barreda, increasing his overall lead to 7 minutes 35 over Paulo Goncalves who finished fifth on the stage. Ruben Faria was third and Toby Price fourth.
In the overall standings, Toby is now in fourth overall, just 24 seconds behind Quantanilla on his KTM, this will be the race to watch.
The riders slept in Cachi just a few kilometers out of Salta.
Yesterday’s Dakar 2015 Dakastage:
There was a two part special yesterday with a neutralization section in the middle. Marc Coma is focusing on getting to the end and has been watching second place man Paulo Goncalves closely. Up until now the gap, has been 7 minutes 35, with Paulo taking two minutes out of Marc on the stage, finishing in second place just 17 seconds behind team mate Barreda who took the stage win.. Honda decided to change Goncalve’s engine last night, accruing a 15 minute penalty, leaving Coma with a 20 minute and 12 second advantage in the overall results. He will make good use of this cushion in the next two days. Ivan Jakes was third today followed by Ruben Faria in fourth, he has had enough of Chile and welcomes the Argentinean terrain. “ I am happy to be here today and look forward to getting to Buenos Aires in a few days”.
Toby Price had a great day and has moved up into 3rd overall after taking just under 2 minutes out of Quintanilla, the pair are now just 1 minute 32 seconds apart. A race everyone is following closely.
What’s happening today at the Dakar 2015 Rally:
The Dakar will spend the night near the Termas de Rio Hondos circuit, which regularly hosts the rounds of the GP and WTCC motorbike championships. Competitor’s minds will have their minds set on the longest day of the Dakar, 1024 Km, battling it out on this tension packed penultimate day. Riders and drivers, who do not pay attention could be caught out by the surrounding vegetation.