The Dakar has finished and the competitors have completed near on 8,000 kilometres on tracks, crossing Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Mali to finally reach Dakar, the capital of Sénégal. After many adventures, seven Team Honda Europe riders crossed the finish line at Lac Rose after a 16km special stage on the beach.
Thierry Bethys posted a great performance to seal the third position on the 450cc podium, followed by the Dutchman Henk Knuiman in fourth and Paulo Goncalvez in 10th.
THIERRY BETHYS (FRANCE) N°85"When I see the file on this Dakar, I am very happy… I have not made any big mistakes nor any big crashes. The bike worked well and I rode at a pace that allowed me to arrive in Dakar with a good result, third in the 450cc class and eighth overall. My targets for this Dakar have been fulfilled and I am really happy."
HENK KNUIMAN (BELGIUM) N°11"The beach and the dunes today were perfect for the 450cc bike. Cyril Despres passed me and I followed him to make sure I was on the television. Next, I was a little afraid and slowed down… Too much though and I was overtaken and next I found myself on a track with the dust. I did not want to take any risks in this special stage. I am happy to be here, but a little disappointed not to be in the top 10. I can do better because I can ride without committing too many mistakes. But it is also important to be at Lac Rose."
PAULO CONCALVEZ (PORTUGAL) N°33"I rode cautiously on this special because I wanted to finish. It is a pity that I did not fulfil my goal of finishing inside the top 10. But I had two or three days with problems and two or three days that were very good. That is the nature of the rally… I hope to return and have a good result next year!"
GREGOIRE BLONDEL (FRANCE) N°83"All went very well for me on this Dakar. I am happy to be at Lac Rose and I would like to thank Thierry, Honda Europe and Bernard Rigoni for their support."
EVERT KROON (HOLLAND) N° 208"This is my last Dakar. I stop... or perhaps I will be here again next year ! That will depend upon my friends Teus and Thomas. It was hard but not as much as some other years. I had a great adventure with my three friends!"
TEUS VISSER (HOLLAND) N°82"I had highs and lows on this Dakar, but the three of us have finished. This was our goal and I am very happy."
THOMAS DE BOIS (HOLLAND) N°173"It is so good that it has finished. But I was scared in the last special because I had problems with fuel feed. Thankfully, here I am ! It was my second participation and, for the second time, I fulfilled my dream to be on the beach in Dakar. I do not know if I will come back."
450 CC CLASSIFICATION ON THE SPECIAL (PROVISIONAL)1. Rodrigues (YAMAHA) - 9’07
2. Croquelois (YAMAHA) - 9’12
3. BETHYS (HONDA) - 9’27
5. CONCALVEZ (HONDA) - 9’34
12. KNUIMAN (HONDA) - 10’17
22. BLONDEL (HONDA) - 10’50
39. DE BOIS (HONDA) - 12’25
53. KROON (HONDA) - 13’36
58. VISSER (HONDA) - 17’58
OVERALL 450CC CLASSIFICATION (PROVISIONAL)1. Rodrigues (YAMAHA) - 54h07’34
2. Marchini (YAMAHA) - 54h37’20
3. BETHYS (HONDA) - 55h03’26
4. KNUIMAN (HONDA) - 56h12’32
10. CONCALVEZ (HONDA) - 60h55’47
30. BLONDEL (HONDA) - 74h52’35
41.KROON (HONDA) - 81h29’12
43.VISSER (HONDA) - 83h38’17
46.DE BOIS (HONDA) - 84h30’02
Related Linkswww.honda-dakar-rally.com/index.php/index_en
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