Dakar: KTM stage seven report

Despres wins the stage, but is not happy

Due to terrible sandstorms torturing the desert, the seventh stage was shortened today to 407 km. The last 134 km where cancelled for safety reasons.

Cyril Despres (KTM Gauloises) could understand why the organisation took the decision, but was far from happy with that. 'I needed those 134 km to gain back some time I lost in previous stages,' the winner of the 2005 Dakar said. 'I'm pleased I won this stage, it can be important, but in the end I need the time more than a stagewin.'

Frans Verhoeven (KTM Gauloises) had his two hours penalty remitted. The Dutchman got the penalty because he would have missed a waypoint two stages ago, but today the organisers found out his gps was not working well and he did pass the waypoint. He was put back on seventh spot in the standings. Verhoeven lost some time today because his ico wasn't working well. 'If you can't count the distance, you don't know when to bend away from the piste. I got lost twice because of this. It has cost me fifteen to twenty minutes today.'

-credit: ktm