This Dakar rally has been one of the most selective of its history, with 204 vehicles reaching the arrival, in other words 47% of the number of participants. Crossing a total of 9,000 km in two weeks, it keeps its reputation as the most difficult offroad rally of all. The first week was particularly nerve-racking. In addition to en-route obstacles the participants had to withstand an unexpected rise in temperature, up to 49°C, that caused dehydration among the teams and vehicle fires.
The Motul teams showed courage and perseverance. In the bike category, Joan Barreda (team HRC) proved to be a brilliant contender by winning no less than five leg victories! Unfortunately, he lost time owing to a fall on the penultimate day and let the second place he deserved slip through his fingers, allowing Helder Rodriguez to clinch the team's best result, fifth. Laia Sanz, one of the two women to have taken the start on a bike, bagged a splendid sixteenth place. 'To be frank,' stated Katsumi Yamazaki, team manager, 'luck was not very generous with us. But the riders gave the best of themselves, as well as our team. For me, preparing the 2015 Dakar begins already today!'
In the car category, MD Rally also suffered unexpected occurrences like Pascal Thomasse quitting following a collision with another contender. So, at the arrival, Pierre Lachaume and JP Polato clinched the team's best result, by finishing 26th placed and, above all, by coming second of the category (petrol 2-wheel drive). At Toyota Auto Body, the two teams distinguished themselves by their steadfastness and constancy, which allowed them to bag first and second place of T2 category (diesel cross-country series production vehicles).
Last, in the car category, two Xtrem Plus Polaris ATVs, with their little 900cc engine, reached the arrival in 40th and 41st place, Willy Alcatraz bagging the win in his single-seater category, for the third consecutive time! 'I'm highly moved because it was a very tough Dakar!' he commented at the arrival.
In the quad category, Sergio Lafuente (Uruguay Rally Team) did brilliantly well until the eleventh leg, occupying second place before being forced to quit. Last, team MAZ clinched a fine eleventh place in the truck category.
We really must tip our hat to all the Motul teams that took part in this event the difficulty of which underscores the quality of their performance all the more.
Results
Bike
01// M. Comas, KTM
02// J. Viladoms, KTM
03// O. Pain, Yamaha
05// H. Rodriguez, HRC - Motul
07// J. Barreda, HRC - Motul
16// L. Sanz, Honda Latam - Motul
17// C. Rodriguez, Honda Latam - Motul
Car
01// N. Roma/ M. Perin, Mini
02// S. Peterhansel/JP. Cottret, Mini
03// N. Al-Attiyah/L. Cruz, Mini
16// P. Lachaume/M Polato, MD Rally Sport - Motul
21// J. Mitsuhashi/A. Guehennec, Toyota Auto Body - Motul
24// N. Gibon/A. Miura, Toyota Auto Body - Motul
40// W. Alcatraz, Polaris RZR - Motul
Photo credits: Judith Tomaselli
