The Dakar Rally 2012
The Dakar Rally is now in its 33rd year and for the fourth consecutive year was held in South America. The event started on the east coast of the continent in Mar del Plata, Argentina before moving through Chile onto the west coast and finishing with the final three stages being held in Peru, culminating with the 14th stage and award ceremony being held the Peruvian capital of Lima.
This year’s Dakar Rally 2012 got off to a sad start when motorcycle rider Jorge Andrés Boero died following a crash towards the end of the first stage. This was the 21st fatality in the history of the Dakar Rally event.
Norway’s Pal Anders Ullevalseter won the final stage from Pisco to Lima, with Marc Coma in second place. But the 33rd Dakar Rally was won for the fourth time by Frenchman Cyril Despres. His overall lead was enough to gain him a fourth title even though he could only manage a lowly 10th place on the final day. Red Bull riders Marc Coma and Helder Rodrigues finished in second and third, respectively.
Following his fourth victory in the Dakar Rally Cyril Despres admitted:
‘This is without a shadow of a doubt the toughest Dakar I’ve ever raced in.’
Depres has previously won the Dakar Rally in 2005, 2007 and 2010; and came second in 2003 and 2009.
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