DAKAR 2006; Coma Takes The Win
The official result frm the Dakar organisers;
93 bikers, 64 car crews and 33 trucks eventually made it to the finish line of the 28th Euromilhoes-Lisboa-Dakar. Luc Alphand won the car race and Marc Coma took the title in the bikes class. Vladimir Chagin, behind the steering wheel of his Kamaz conquered his fifth title in the trucks category.
In memory of the two children that sadly died during the passage of the Dakar caravan in Guinea and Senegal, the final Lac Rose special was not timed. The official times for the final standings of the 28th Euromilhoes-Lisboa-Dakar were therefore those registered after stage 14 between Tambacounda and Dakar.
The podium ceremony was therefore purely symbolic with the sporting aspect already decided before the last few days in all three categories.
On two wheels, Marc Coma’s final victory could have been predicted in Lisbon at the start of the event. The Spaniard indeed looked to be the main rival of title holder Cyril Despres. Cyril Despres’ goal to take it nice and easily at a decent pace before trying to hit hard in the Mauritanian stages, was troubled by a big crash at km 273 of the stage going from Tan Tan to Zouerat.
The Frenchman suffered a dislocated shoulder but courageously decided to carry on managing a few fine specials like the one heading to Nouakchott when he took his team mate David Casteu to a first ever success, or the one going to Kiffa when he gained a few precious minutes on Coma. Cyril Despres finished the rally with four special wins under the belt but also some very bad navigation choices - which cost him the race.
Isidre Esteve could have been Despres successor and keep the title within the KTM-Gauloises team, but after a fall during the Nouakchott – Kiffa stage, the Spaniard was forced to quit the race and had to go through surgery for a ruptured spleen. The leading trio now only had one big name left: Marc Coma. He was to claim his first ever success “for Andy Caldecott” his KTM-Repsol team mate…
While the 2006 Dakar title remained among the favourites, quite a few bikers proved to be the men of the future. Portugal’s Faria and Rodrigues, that didn’t only show what they could do on home soil, impressed for their first Dakars.
David Casteu, that was starting his first Dakar as an official rider, perfectly managed his role as a support rider but also captured a first ever stage success and finished 8th overall. Alain Duclos, winner of the Marathon class thanks to his 7th spot overall, flew to victory in Bamako, his native town. US bikers Chris Blais, 4th this year and Jonah Street, 17th for his first appearance on the Dakar will be riders to watch in the upcoming years.
The specific standing for the privateers with no assistance was won by Frenchman Patrice Carillon (29th overall). The women’s race was won by Patricia Watson-Miller, after leader and title holder Ludivine Puy broke her pelvis heading to Tambacounda.