Dakar Stage 5: Veteran Casteau secures stage win, Despres solid, Barreda in trouble

Frenchman David Casteau secured his first Dakar stage win since 2010 to close in on compatriot Olivier Pain at the top of the overall standings. Casteau is a vastly experienced Dakar veteran renowned for his excellent navigational skills and he pulled all his skills together to win the short 136KM timed special.

It was another impressive day for Yamaha Racing France rider Pain, who played down his position at the top of the standings yesterday to ride another strong stage – finishing second. The result consolidates his position at the front of the Dakar 1m 15s ahead of Casteau.

Factory KTM man Juan Pedero Garcia claimed third with Italian Alessandro Botturi in fourth. Cyril Despres finished the stage in fifth place 4m 07s behind Casteau. In the overall  standing the four time winner stays third, but is now 6m 07s behind Pain.

HRC Honda man Helder Rodrigues was once again in the mix on his CRF450X. The Portugese rider was less than a minute off fifth place and has now moved up to 12th in the overall standings albeit 25m 58s off the lead.

Yesterday’s stage winner Juan Barreda had a disastrous day after suffering a fuel pump problem during the timed special. The fast Spaniard was helped out of the stage by his team-mate Matt Fish but lost over three hours meaning he is now down in 54th position.

Results Stage Five
Arequipa to Arica Total distance 411 km – 275 km liaison and 136 km special
1, David Casteau, France, Yamaha 1h 39m 42s
2, Olivier Pain, France, Yamaha + 1m 09s
3, Juan Pedero Garcia, Spain, KTM + 2m58s
4, Alessandro Botturi , Italy, Husqvarna, 3m 25s
5, Cyril Despres, France, KTM +4m 07s
6, Stefan Svitko, Slovakia, KTM +4m 40s

Overall Standings after Stage Five
1, Pain, 11.51.29s
2, Casteu, 11:52.44s
3, Despres, 11: 57.36s
4, Faria, 12:05.03s
5, Villadoms, 12:05.05s
6, Lopez, 12:05.08