Dakar: KTM stage six report

Recovered Viladoms takes the stagewin

The longest day, at least in distance, the riders covering 817 kilometres today. The first liaison (414 km) lead the riders into Mauritania.

Under normal circumstances this route is a pretty tough one already, but today a sandstorm and rain made it even more difficult.

Jordi Viladoms (KTM Repsol) proved to be fully recovered of the leg injury with which he began the Dakar. The young Spaniard won the stage, his first victory on the Dakar, and was very happy with his achievement. 'My leg is okay, I'm fit and I feel strong. The camelgrass was difficult. It was rock hard, because of the rain.'

Frans Verhoeven (KTM Gauloises) clocked a fifth time, his equal best result. 'My top speed in the second part of the special was 183 km/h. Not bad, since I gave my rear brake pads to Cyril Despres. I kept on attacking all day and kept my pace high. I was together with fellow KTM-riders Giovanni Sala and David Casteu and lead them trough the camelgrass. I had a great day.'

-credit: ktm