Stage 3 of the 2010 Dakar Rally, described by some as one of the toughest days they have ever encountered in any rally, took it’s toll in the motorcycle category yesterday, reducing the field by almost 40 riders. The blogs of Canadians Don Hatton and Rick Hatswell both state the they’ve withdrawn and although there’s no mention of withdrawal on Andrew Scott’s site, he’s not listed on today’s stage 4 starting grid. It seems then that Montrealer, Patrick Trahan is the sole remaining Canadian in the motorcycle category. Trahan battled heat exhaustion and a stalling bike to finish the day 8:19:17 behind stage winner and new overall leader Cyril Despres, of France.
According to the Globe and Mail, Trahan paid a high price to compete in this year’s Dakar, falling into bankruptcy and divorcing his wife of 14 years after she told him to choose between her or the rally.
2010 Dakar Rally Stage 3 Results
1. DESPRES (FRA) KTM 03:01:09 00:00:00
2. RODRIGUES (PRT) YAMAHA 03:11:49 00:10:40
3. GONCALVES (PRT) BMW 03:13:18 00:12:09
4. CASTEU (FRA) SHERCO 03:13:22 00:12:13
5. LOPEZ CONTARDO (CHL) APRILIA 03:18:14 00:17:05
6. DUCLOS (FRA) KTM 03:18:54 00:17:05
7. MANCA (ITA) KTM 03:19:05 00:17:56
8. STREET (USA) KTM 03:20:01 00:18:52
9. COMA (ESP) KTM 03:22:46 00:21:37
10. ULLEVALSETER (NOR) KTM 03:24:39 00:23:30
2010 Dakar Rally Overall Standings
1. DESPRES (FRA) KTM 08:54:04 00:00:00
2. CASTEU (FRA) SHERCO 09:04:07 00:10:03
3. RODRIGUES (PRT) YAMAHA 09:12:01 00:17:57
4. MANCA (ITA) KTM 09:18:33 00:24:29
5. DUCLOS (FRA) KTM 09:25:02 00:30:58
6. STREET (USA) KTM 09:27:30 00:33:26
7. LOPEZ CONTARDO (CHL) APRILIA 09:31:19 00:37:15
8. COMA (ESP) KTM 09:36:08 00:42:04
9. ULLEVALSETER (NOR) 09:39:27 00:45:23
10. GONCALVES (PRT) BMW 09:47:17 00:53:13
