KTM’s multi Dakar winner Marc Coma of Spain continue to lead the Dos Sertoes Rally in Brazil on the KTM 450 Rally bike after Stage Four of this more than 4100 km loop through central Brazil.
Coma finished just under four minutes behind Paolo Goncalves of Portugal in the day’s 295 km stage, holding off rival Cyril Despres by just under a minute. He is now 2 minutes 24 ahead in a close battle for the top spot now between these three riders.
KTM teammate Jakub Przygonskiof Poland is in fourth place but now trails the leader by 23 minutes 16. Ruben Faria of Portugal, the third member of the factory team crashed and was not able to finish the stage. A KTM team official confirmed that he was being transported to the bivouac and doctors said he had a wrist fracture. Stage four was the marathon stage where riders were not permitted any mechanical assistance, so it was important to be cautious on a ride that continues to be technically and physically challenging.
Stage Five takes the riders in a loop starting and finishing in Palmas on a long day out of a total of 746 km, including relatively short 109 km of timed section. The rally continues until Saturday
Stage Four (Marathon stage):
Porangatu to Natividade (487 km and a 295 km timed special)
Results (unofficial)
1, Paolo Goncalves, Portugal, Speed Brain 3:58.05
2, Marc Coma, Spain, KTM 3:59.07 ´
3, Cyril Despres, France, Yamaha 4:00.42
4, Michael Metge, France, Yamaha, 4:02.52
5, Kuba Przygonski, Poland, KTM, 4:02.59
6, Dario Julio, Brazil, Honda, 4:07.10
7, Ike Klaumann, Brazil, Honda, 4:10.16
8, Jean Azevedo, Brazil, Honda, 4:11.08
Ruben Faria, Portugal KTM DNF
Overall Standings after Stage 4 (unofficial)
1, Coma 11 hours 38.59
2, Goncalves at 2 minutes 24.0
3, Despres at 3:14.1
4, Przygonski at 23:16.7
5, Metge at 23:39.9
6, Klaumann at 30.32.1
7, Dario Julio at 33.12.9
8, Azevedo at 45:03.6
