Dakar: Yamaha stage 12 report

No major changes after day 13

The first special after the break was dusty, short and not particularly appreciated by the competitors. Yamaha Motor France's David Frétigné was 13th over the 213kms on his two-wheel-drive WR450F 2-Trac, and retains his 12th overall, one place and 50 minutes ahead of his closest rival for victory in the 450 class, Matteo Graziani (KTM).

"I think I got done for speeding today," commented Frétigné, the 33-year-old multiple French Enduro champion from Mayenne. "I reckon it was due to my tripmaster being out, even so I didn't really enjoy this special at all -- it was too fast with lots of dust and lots of holes. In addition, as I predicted, I struggled to find my rhythm. Our three days off has meant that I found it difficult to focus on the race. I hope I will get back to normal tomorrow as we have three big days ahead of us."

The first of those 'big days' starts at 3h25 tomorrow morning with 230 km of liaison followed by 478 km of sand and navigation special.

Victory on today's stage went to the first to start this morning, Frenchman Cyril Despres, who finished 5'47 ahead of Coma, with Roma third at 6'25. No changes overall at the front of the race with Roma increasing his lead to 10'06 over Sainct and Cox third at 28'53. Frétigné lies 3h08'40 behind countryman Despres on his Dakar debut.

-yamaha-