Dakar Stage 8 – Aprilia’s Francisco Lopez wins stage, Coma time penalty confirmed

Aprilia mounted Francisco Lopez claimed his second stage win of the 2010 Dakar to move up to third in the overall standings.

Lopez won the grueling 472KM timed special by just 42 seconds from KTM man Marc Coma.

Despite Coma’s impressive ride he is currently down in 19th position after incurring a 6-hour penalty handed out a for illegal assistance on the 7th special where he used a new tyre.

Coma’s penalty ends any chance of victory and means that fellow KTM man Cyril Despres now has a commanding 1h 20m 31s lead over Norwegian Dakar veteran Pal anders Ullevalseter in second.

Craig Bounds finished 40th on the stage eight with another strong ride to climb to 56th overall.

Paul Carlyle is placed 77th with Irishman Phillip Noone in 87th and Yamaha mounted Tamsin Jones 93rd.

Stage 8 – Antofagasta to Copiapo
Sunday 10th January 2010
Connection 96KM
Special 472KM