Motorsport · Motorbikes
Despres takes third Dakar bikes title
Saturday, 16 January 2010 15:53Frenchman Cyril Despres won his third Dakar Rally motorcycling title on Saturday after the 14th and final stage, which was won by Portuguese rider Ruben Faria.
Despres, who will turn 36 on January 24, finished over five minutes behind his KTM team-mate, who was exceptionally allowed to attack on the final stage as he is usually obliged to race behind the Frenchman as a support rider in case anything untoward happens to him.
Norwegian Pal Ullevalseter finished second overall, over an hour behind Despres, after finishing second on his KTM in the stage, 3min 45sec behind Faria.
Chilean Francisco 'Chaleco' Lopez riding an Aprilia was third overall, less than five minutes behind the runner-up.
