The natural disasters of two days ago in Jujuy and the cancelation of the ninth stage yesterday are now history and today the Dakar Rally was back on its scheduled route. In the suffocating regions of La Rioja and San Juan, the Monster Energy Honda Team grabbed the glory with a stage win.
The Dakar got back to relative ‘normality’ with a full-length stage, free from diversions or detours. The 449 kilometres against the clock on the route from Chilecito-San Juan turned out to be the longest one disputed so far in the 2017 edition of the race. With baking 45-degree temperatures even reaching 50 in the saddle riders had to endure one of the most physically gruelling stages, as well as having to deal with highly demanding navigation over the opening stretches of the stage. The second section finishing in San Juan was a speedier affair, albeit with technical complications. Riders will try and rest tonight in the heat of the El Zonda racing circuit.
Joan Barreda opened the track throughout the day with near-flawless navigation except for a very slight deviation at kilometre 53. Luckily, team-mate Michael Metge was on hand to confirm the correct direction. Both, with the Honda CRF450 RALLY, were soon spearheading the field towards the destination in San Juan. Metge scored the day’s best time, clinching his first Dakar stage win in the process; although later he was sanctioned for having missed a waypoint. The French rider’s route is currently being subjected to scrutiny.
The penalty means that the day’s top honours fall on Joan Barreda, who consequently collects a third Dakar 2017 stage victory and the second in succession. The Monster Energy Honda Team rider is fifth in the general standings, less than an hour behind the overall race leader.
Paulo Gonçalves dropped precious time whilst searching for one of the more elusive waypoints in this Dakar. Once verified, the Portuguese put pedal to the metal in an attempt to make up the lost time. By the end of the special he had finished some eight minutes adrift of the winner on the day.
Ricky Brabec was unable to finish in the way he had hoped. After starting the day out from behind and immediately pulling pack several positions, the American maintained a scorching pace and at one time even led the race. An apparent radiator problem put an end to his intentions and the Californian was forced to slow the pace down and eventually made it back to the bivouac with a tow from another rider.
Barreda’s third win, together with the triumph of Brabec in the seventh stage, means the Monster Energy Honda Team tally rises to four victories – half of the stages disputed so far.
Joan Barreda #11 – Stage: 1st, 5:49’45 – Overall: 5th, +57’43
« Today has been a very good stage. In the first part, where I had to be very careful, something wasn’t right. Several riders got lost in an area with a ford where one of the notes indicated a dead-end. I was trying it out until Michael Metge showed up and confirmed the position. I did a little cross country before I found the right route. From there we pushed hard and the last part of the day featured a bumpy track in the style of American Bajas. It was great fun. »
Paulo Goncalves #17 – Stage: 8th, +8’43 – Overall: 7th, +1:00’11
« Today has been a pretty full day. The first part of the stage – over 270 kilometres – had a very technical part, with a lot of trial and a lot of very complicated navigation. We did several kilometres in an area of trial and I lost some time finding the right course. The second part was faster but more intense technically. I tried to push to pull back some time. We have two days to try to do the best we can. »
Michael Metge #15 – Stage: 24th, +59’05 – Overall: 17th, +2:35’33
« Well, today was difficult. Very difficult. I would say that today we have ridden the most technically complicated stage in this Dakar. There was an initial part with quite a lot of navigation, alongside a river, where it was very hot and a very trial-like area. I found Joan and two KTM riders who are lost. Joan opened track and I followed. When I saw that there were two of us, I tried to speed up the pace in the second half. We were counting the kilometres and in the end I achieved the goal. I’m super happy to win my first stage of the Dakar. »
Roberto Boasso – Team Manager
« I’m very happy. It was a really nice day after the mechanics have worked all night like crazy on the bikes after what has happened over the previous stages, where they didn’t have much time off either. Achieving this result is very satisfactory: Mika has been extraordinary and Joan, fabulous. We will continue working and fighting until the end. Thanks to all team members for the efforts they have made despite the problems day after day. »
Results Stage 10
1. Barreda Joan (SPA) – Monster Energy Honda Team, 5:49’45
2. Svitko Stefan (SLO) – Slovnaft Team, +0’24
3. Caimi Franco (ARG) – Honda South America Rally Team, +3’48
4. Renet Pierre-Alexandre (FRA) – Husqvarna Factory Rally Team, +4’21
5. Rodrigues Helder (POR) – Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team, +5’46
6. Cervantes Iván (SPA) – Himoinsa Team, +7’15
7. Metge Adrien (FRA) – Sherco TVS Rally Factory, +8’18
8. Goncalves Paulo (POR) – Monster Energy Honda Team, +8’43
9. Klymciw Ondrej (CZE) – Klymciw Racing, +9’22
10. Walkner Matthias (AUT) – Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team, +12’53
11. Salvatierra Juan Carlos (BOL) – Duust Rally Team, +14’57
12. Sunderland Sam (GBR) – Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team, +17’06
13. Farres Gerard (SPA) – Himoinsa Team, +21’25
14. Sanz Laia (SPA) – KTM Factory Racing Team, +21’39
15. Gyenes Emanuel (ROU) – Autonet Motorcycle Team, +23’32…
24. Metge Michael (FRA) – Monster Energy Honda Team, +59’05
Rider Standings
Provisional Standings after Stage 10
1. Sunderland Sam (GBR) – Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team, 28:07’59
2. Walkner Matthias (AUT) – Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team, +30’01
3. Farres Gerard (SPA) – Himoinsa Team, +38’43
4. Van Beveren Adrien (FRA) – Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team, +41’57
5. Barreda Joan (SPA) – Monster Energy Honda Team, +53’47
6. Renet Pierre-Alexandre (FRA) – Husqvarna Factory Rally Team, +55’24
7. Goncalves Paulo (POR) – Monster Energy Honda Team, +1:00’11
8. de Soultrait Xavier (FRA) – Viltais Racing Team HFP, +1:32’55
9. Caimi Franco (ARG) – Honda South America Rally Team, +1:37’57
10. Svitko Stefan (SLO) – Slovnaft Team, +1:48’45
11. Rodrigues Helder (POR) – Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team, +1:51’25
12. Salvatierra Juan Carlos (BOL) – Duust Rally Team, +2:04’38
13. Klymciw Ondrej (CZE) – Klymciw Racing, +2:08’55
14. Rodrigues Joaquim (POR) – Hero Motorsports Team Rally, +2:09’09
15. Cervantes Iván (SPA) – Himoinsa Team, +2:22’04
17. Metge Michael (FRA) – Monster Energy Honda Team, +2:35’33
Press Release,