Yamaha Factory Racing Rally Team Yamalube’s Michael Metge enjoyed a strong performance today to finish the fourth stage of Dakar 2015 in the top ten.
The riders had to cover a grand total of 909 kilometres, 594 kms of liaison to cross over the Andes from Argentina to Chile, followed by 315 kms of special, ending with the famous dunes at Copiapo.
First of the Yamaha riders into the bivouac was Frenchman Michael Metge who finished 10th and is now 14th overall. Hard on his heels was Italian teammate Alessandro Botturi, who ended the day in 11th and is now 15th overall. Behind them, last year’s third place finisher Olivier Pain, arrived in 24th place and this evening finds himself in 20th place overall at 1h02’54.
Polish rider Rafal Sonik won today’s stage in the quad category, closely followed by fellow Yamaha rider Ignacio Casale in second place (03’26). After today’s results, the provisional podium is topped by Sonik (16h04’55), with Sergio Lafuente in second (16h08’44) and Casale in third place (16h18’27).
Yesterday 39yr old Polish rider Michal Hernik (no. 82) sadly passed away during the third stage between San Juan and Chilecito. Yamaha Racing wish to offer their condolences to his family, loved-ones and his team.
Yesterday’s Yamaha Factory Racing release stated that rider Robert Van Pelt crashed out of the Rally on stage 2. The Dutchman did not crash but was unable to continue after suffering issues caused by the intense heat.
Michael Metge
10th / 14’32, 14th overall / 49’54
“I think the early start and the high altitude must have combined to make everything look especially spectacular this morning – the scenery was just stunning. The vastness of the mountains, all the different colours… it’s not my first crossing but it seems just as impressive… On the special I struggled to find a good rhythm at the start, so instead of forcing the pace I decided to concentrate on my navigation. It seems to be a tactic that paid off because my speed soon increased and I didn’t get lost once. I think this was the first time when a lot of my colleagues went wrong but I didn’t. To me it seemed almost easy to find the right way and that’s a big source of satisfaction for me.”
Alessandro Botturi
11th / 14’52, 15th overall / 50’20
“I think I got to understand my bike more today and coming into Chile, especially into the sand dunes, I had more space to exploit it. The changes we made last night to the settings have definitely improved the bike and I’m happy with the progress we’re making.”
Olivier Pain
24rd / 25’00, 20th overall / 1h02’54
“As is the tradition now we had the long and spectacular crossing over the Andes into Chile this morning. Happily the weather was on our side and with all the extra clothing I had on I didn’t get cold at all. The special itself was almost exactly the same as three years ago – starting off twisty and then getting progressively more rapid to the CP. Then at the end we got to play in the dunes before coming down to the bivouac in Copiapo. As I hoped, there was a little more navigation today, but unfortunately it didn’t help my final result.”
You can follow Yamaha’s progress in the Dakar Rally HERE.
Dakar Rally 2015 Stage 04: Chilecito to Copiapo
1. Joan Barreda Bort, ESP (Honda) 03:27:28
2. Marc Coma, ESP (KTM) 03:29:27
3. Pablo Quintanilla, CHL (KTM) 03:30:17
4. Jordi Viladoms, ESP (KTM) 03:38:12
5. Ruben Faria, PRT (KTM) 03:38:23
6. Javier Pizzolito, ARG (KTM) 03:38:57
7. Alain Duclos, FRA (Sherco TVS) 03:40:19
8. Laia Sanz Pla-Giribert, ESP (Honda) 03:41:16
9. Stefan Svitko, SVK (KTM) 03:41:19
10. Michael Metge, FRA (Yamaha) 03:42:00
11. Alessandro Botturi, ITA (Yamaha) 03:42:20
12. Paulo Gonçalves, PRT (Honda) 03:42:24
13. Gouet, CHL (Honda) 03:42:33
14. Riaan Van Niekerk, ZAF (KTM) 03:43:45
15. David Casteu, FRA (KTM) 03:44:08
24. Oliver Pain, FRA (Yamaha) 03:52:28
Dakar Rally 2015: Overall Ranking
1. Joan Barreda Bort, ESP (Honda) 13:10:33
2. Marc Coma, ESP (KTM) 13:23:22
3. Paulo Gonçalves, PRT (Honda) 13:31:02
4. Ruben Faria, PRT (KTM) 13:33:38
5. Jordi Viladoms, ESP (KTM) 13:35:24
6. Pablo Quintanilla, CHL (KTM) 13:41:15
7. Toby Price, AUS (KTM) 13:42:38
8. Matthias Walkner, AUT (KTM) 13:44:01
9. Alain Duclos, FRA (Sherco TVS) 13:47:04
10. Helder Rodrigues, PRT (Honda) 13:49:38
11. Stefan Svitko, SVK (KTM) 13:51:00
12. Laia Sanz Pla-Giribert, ESP (Honda) 13:58:35
13. David Casteu, FRA (KTM) 13:59:29
14. Michael Metge, FRA (Yamaha) 14:00:27
15. Alessandro Botturi, ITA (Yamaha) 14:00:53
20. Oliver Pain, FRA (Yamaha) 14:13:27
