Victory for Despres in Tunisia Rally
By TMX Archives on 3rd May 09
Cyril Despres triumphed over fellow KTM factory teammate Marc Coma in the final eleventh stage of the Tunisia Rally to steal overall victory in the second round of the 2009 World Championship and level the score at 1-1 between the two rivals.
Right from day one of the 4500 km route it was clear that the two KTMriders were going to be each other's toughest rivals. But with theworld's top six riders all onboard KTM machines the Tunisia Rally wasclearly an overwhelming victory for the cult brand "Made in Austria"machines.
Despres crossed the final finish line with a margin of 5 minute 57seconds after the race that started back on March 22 and tookcompetitors on a loop through Tunisia, into Libya and then back toTunisia for the finish. After Coma's win in Round One of thechampionships in the Desert Challenge Abu Dhabi, the Frenchman washappy to even up the score.
Despres enjoys first victory of the season
"I am especially pleased as my first rally was here back in 1998. A fewyears later I am still here with a great bike and a great team. To winhere on a technical route where navigation takes on a real importancemakes victory even sweeter. With Marc it is always extremely close butup until now it has all gone is way this year. KTM have entered Marcand me into all the World Championship rounds. Marc won in Abu Dhabiand I win here. In three weeks we will be in Sardinia to fight it outagain," said Despres at the conclusion of the rally.
Coma collects valuable points in the competition
"Even if I missed the win it was important to finish second so I couldtake as many points as possible for the World Championship. I am veryhappy to have participated in the Tunisia Rally where I felt good onthe bike and navigated well. It was a big rally with 11 days of racingand very varied terrain and it's always something special to return toAfrica," Coma said.
Plenty of drama in second half of the rally
The second half of the Tunisia Rally delivered plenty of drama withstrong winds causing organisers to cancel Stage Six which saw Coma havethe slimmest of three minutes 41 seconds lead on Despres. Riderstravelled by road to the bivouac but were in for a restless night. "Wewere all sleeping in three tents when at about 3 o'clock in the morningthey all took off with a huge gust of wind. It was chaos as everybodytried to gather up their things and find somewhere to sleep," Despresrecalled.
Coma extends lead in Stage Seven
A long 410km Stage Seven saw the riders cross into Libya during whichCyril made several small navigation errors allowing Marc to extend hislead by several minutes. "The stage was very long and the first partwas very technical and physical with lots of stones and tricky trialstype of terrain. Then the terrain began to open up and we found fastertracks and it was easier. I caught Cyril at around kilometre 100 and werode together to the finishing line," Coma said at the conclusion.
Despres finally takes the edge in Stage Eight
The turning point for Coma came in Stage Eight when his mousse meltedand he had to ride to the line on his rim. Meanwhile, riding topreserve his own tyres, Despres won the special and advanced to take anoverall lead over his Spanish rival of just shy of nine minutes. Withsome tricky navigation on the menu for Stage Nine and Cyril first off,he was caught by Marc at the 90 km mark and the two attacked until thefinish. It was another stage win for Coma who eroded Cyril's lead tojust four minutes 57 seconds and setting the stage for a tenseconclusion of the rally.
Drama continued on the tenth stage when organisers called it to a haltat the 134-kilometre mark after an accident in the car category. Comawas the fastest to that point and had shaved Cyril's lead to a mere 3m57, leaving the race wide open or the two final loops of 81km and 73kmin the final stage. Despres prevailed to conclude a gripping rally withvirtually nothing separating the two KTM riders at the end of RoundTwo.
Overall Results
1. Cyril Despres, France, KTM
2. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM at 5 minutes 57 seconds
3. Francisco (Chaleco) Lopez, Chile, KTM, 53 minutes 17
4. Jordi Viladoms, Spain, KTM 53m 30 seconds
5. Pal Anders Ullevalseter, Norway, KTM, 1:22.43
6. David Casteu, France, KTM 2:10.31