Alessandro Botturi fourth in fifth stage of Dakar

The Dakar moved into Chile’s Arica desert for the fifth stage with a slow and cumbersome 411 km (257 miles) with 136 of special test. It almost seemed like an enduro race. In fact, it was enduro rider Alessandro Botturi who showed his true colours bringing the Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain a well-earned fourth place. After Barreda’s two stage wins and Goncalves’ second place, Botturi rode his Husqvarna TE449RR into fourth place for the second time . In doing so he moves up  two places in the overall standings, Now the Italian rider is in 7th place overall.  

Husqvarna’s “special customer” Jordi Viladoms on a TE449RR by Speedbrain, put in his usual consistent performance, coming in sevententh today and fifth overall, moving up to lead the Husqvarna riders. The 'fesh-fesh’ and large rocks made life difficult for Goncalves in the special, where he strived not to make mistakes and finished in fourteenth place.

Likewise, Barreda had an unlucky day picking up a fifteen minute penalty as for an engine change. The engine was substituted in the night as a precaution when a faulty bearing was found. Barreda came in a long way behind in today’s special stage due to problems with the gas pump helped by water-carrier Fish.

Tomorrow sees the caravan roll on to Argentina with an extremely long 764 km stage (477 miles) with 454 km of special test.

Alessandro Botturi :”I set out to win today, but it turned out to be more tricky than I’d imagined. I was unable to attack in the way I’d have liked because of the lack of visibility and the fesh-fesh, but it was a good stage for me.”

Paulo Goncalves :”I was really careful today. It was a very dangerous stage with a very hazardous terrain. It would have been easy to fall, so I tried not to make any mistakes and get through the stage.”

Jordi Viladoms: ”I’m really pleased with my Husqvarna. I’m really getting on well with it. Today was a very hazardous stage and I tried to keep a steady pace. I’m very satisfy with my fifth overall place so far.”

Result of Stage 5:
1 . Casteu (FRA, Yamaha) ,

2. Pain (FRA, Yamaha) 1’09”
3.Pedrero (Spa , KTM) 2’58”
4.Alessandro Botturi (ITA, Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain) 3’25”

14. Paulo Goncalves (PRT, Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain) 6’27”
17.Viladoms (Spa, Husqvarna) 7’23”
119. Matt Fish (AUS, Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain) 2h30’33”
120.Joan Barreda (ESP, Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain) 3h00’03”

Overall Standings after five stages:
1. Pain (FRA, Yamaha),
2. Casteu (FRA, Yamaha) 1’15”
3. Despres (FRA, KTM) 6’07”

4.Faria (PRT, KTM) 13’34”
5. Viladoms (ESP, Husqvarna) 13’36”

7 . Alessandro Botturi (ITA, Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain) 14’00”
16.Paulo Goncalves (PRT, Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain) 24:47,
54.Joan Barreda (ESP, Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain) 3h04’32”

56.Matt Fish (AUS, Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain) 3h05”10”