Team HRC's Joan Barreda Bort
Team HRC’s Joan Barreda Bort

2014 Dakar Rally – HRC Honda’s Barreda Takes Stage 1

The 2014 Dakar Rally, which will take the motorcycle field 5,427 miles through Argentina, Boliva and Chile,  began Sunday, Jan. 5, with the first of 13 stages.

Due to some changes in this year’s structure, the racing is even more grueling for the world’s “toughest” rally  – and the motorcycle action from stage one proves this.

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The first stage took the motorcycle field 520 miles – which is the longest stage – from Rosario to San Luis in Argentina. It contained a 112-mile special, and a 390-mile liaison, with many blind jumps throughout the sandy landscapes.

Official Dakar reports say that 174 motorcycles entered the rally, but by the end of the day one, only 168 crossed the finish line in San Luis.

And leading this group was former Husqvarna pilot Joan Barreda Bort of Spain. Barreda, who switched to Team HRC Honda mid-way through 2013, finished the stage in 2 hours, 25 minutes and 31 seconds (02:25:31).

Thought the Honda finished on top, four separate manufacturers held the top-four positions. Finishing second, 37 seconds behind, was three-time Dakar winner Marc Coma (Spain) aboard the Red Bull KTM 450 Rally.

Red Bull Yamaha's Cyril Despres ahead of Stage One
Red Bull Yamaha’s Cyril Despres ahead of Stage One

Next was five-time Dakar winner and reigning title holder Cyril Despres (France) aboard the Yamaha YZF450 Rally; he finished 1 minute and 40 seconds behind Barreda.

Fourth went to Sherco’s Alain Duclos (France), who finished 1 minuted and 56 seconds back. Taking fifth on the first of 13 stages was Barreda’s teammate Paulo Goncalves (Portugal).

As for the Americans competing, Kevin Muggleton (Honda) finished 120th; Mike Johnson 139th; and Peter Hardy 154th.

2014 Dakar Rally Official Stage One Report:

The fast, winding courses on the program of today’s special in the Córdoba area seemed tailor-cut to the stage hunter Barreda, who also used his favorable starting place (no. 3) to his advantage.

He inched closer to Coma, who was riding in the slipstream of defending champion Cyril Despres, to slowly but steadily gain seconds and minutes throughout the 112-mile special.

In the end, Barreda perched himself at the top of the general classification and grabbed the sixth special of his career… not bad, considering he has taken part in 30.

Looking forward, one could be forgiven for thinking the trio of pre-race favorites, Barreda, Coma and Despres, has left the competition in the dust, with their most commonly cited rivals, Gonçalves and “Chaleco” López 2′25″ and 3′24″ down, respectively, and Hélder Rodrigues conceding almost 9 minutes to his Honda teammate.

However, the Dakar saw its first surprise, as Duclos caught the pundits unaware to finish fourth in today’s stage, a mere 1′56″ slower than Barreda. The French rider had already said before the race that he was confident the changes made to his Sherco since last year would allow him to aim for the top places. Considering Duclos has not raced since the last edition, today’s performance shows his boast was not an empty one.

Check out the stage-one action during the “Dakar Rally Series,” which will air on NBC Sports Network at 5 p.m. ET Monday. For the entire broadcast USA “Dakar Rally Series” schedule, click here.

Red Bull KTM's Marc Coma
Red Bull KTM’s Marc Coma

2014 Dakar Rally Stage One Quotes:

Joan Barreda Bort (HRC Honda CRF450 Rally) says: “I’m really happy with the first stage. At the beginning I had some trouble easing into the race due to a slight problem with the suspension, but afterwards everything went smoothly. We’ll work on it to ride even faster tomorrow. I’ll try to keep up this pace in the next few stages.”

Marc Coma (Red Bull KTM 450 Rally) says: “First days at the Dakar are never easy. It’s difficult to find and maintain your pace straight away. So I took things fairly easy and, as the day wore on, I got the right feelings and found the right pace. All things considered, I’m happy because it’s important to clear the first stage without running into trouble, and that’s just what I did.”

Cyril Despres (Red Bull Yamaha YZF450 Rally) says: “A winding special with lots of breaking and accelerating. 180 km of this was a great way to get the ball rolling! I took some time to find my bearings and ease into my pace.

“The first special is always tough when you come from cold Europe and you get thrown into the thick of things, so I’m happy to get good feelings. I got a bit emotional at the start, what with starting a new adventure… It was a difficult year, with the decision to move to Yamaha, and then having to prepare the motorcycle, working with the entire team… So when D-Day comes, it feels good to be racing again.”

Alain Duclos (Samsung Sherco Rally Factory 450 SR) says: “I’m over the moon because I had lots of fun, my Sherco didn’t miss a beat and it was a real pleasure to ride on this type of course, where it almost rides itself. In short: fun, speed and a nice bonus at the finish with this result! It was important for me to do well from the beginning in order to hitch myself to the right wagon for upcoming stages.”

Paulo Gonclaves (HRC Honda CRF450 Rally) says: “It was quite difficult for a first special, with a very slippery and tricky 180 km course, especially on the mountain sides: if you fall there, you’re going all the way down!

“So I decided to take it easy at the beginning, but little by little I eased into the pace and gained some confidence. At the end I accelerated and posted the fifth best time on the finish line. I’m happy because my teammate Joan Barreda won the stage, which means I’ll start just behind him tomorrow and we’ll be able to work as a team. So everything’s going to plan for me and Honda.”

2014 Dakar Rally: A Look at Stage 2 (Monday, Jan. 6)

Riders will compete from San Luis to San Rafael – 227 mile liaison, 223 mile special = 450 miles

2014 Dakar Rally Stage One Results:

Pos. N° Name Mark Time variation Penalty

1

 3
  • BARREDA BORT (ESP)
 HONDA 02:25:31 – –

2

 2
  • COMA (ESP)
 KTM 02:26:08 00:00:37 –

3

 1
  • DESPRES (FRA)
 YAMAHA 02:27:11 00:01:40 –

4

 22
  • DUCLOS (FRA)
 SHERCO 02:27:27 00:01:56 –

5

 10
  • GONCALVES (PRT)
 HONDA 02:27:56 00:02:25 –

6

 5
  • LOPEZ CONTARDO (CHL)
 KTM 02:28:55 00:03:24 –

7

 23
  • PEDRERO GARCIA (ESP)
 SHERCO 02:29:18 00:03:47 –

8

 17
  • METGE (FRA)
 YAMAHA 02:30:04 00:04:33 –

9

 18
  • SUNDERLAND (GBR)
 HONDA 02:30:04 00:04:33 –

10

 21
  • BOTTURI (ITA)
 SPEEDBRAIN 02:30:19 00:04:48 –

11

 32
  • GRABHAM (AUS)
 KTM 02:30:21 00:04:50 –

12

 8
  • FARIA (PRT)
 KTM 02:30:42 00:05:11 –

13

 9
  • CASTEU (FRA)
 KTM 02:31:03 00:05:32 –

14

 4
  • VILADOMS (ESP)
 KTM 02:31:22 00:05:51 –

15

 24
  • FARRES GUELL (ESP)
 GAS – GAS 02:32:08 00:06:37 –

16

 6
  • PAIN (FRA)
 YAMAHA 02:32:18 00:06:47 –

17

 19
  • SVITKO (SVK)
 KTM 02:32:28 00:06:57 –

18

 12
  • VERHOEVEN (NLD)
 YAMAHA 02:32:29 00:06:58 –

19

 14
  • PIZZOLITO (ARG)
 HONDA 02:33:40 00:08:09 –

20

 15
  • PRZYGONSKI (POL)
 KTM 02:33:54 00:08:23 –

21

 36
  • PATRAO (PRT)
 SUZUKI 02:33:55 00:08:24 –

22

 7
  • RODRIGUES (PRT)
 HONDA 02:34:29 00:08:58 –

23

 26
  • GOUET (CHL)
 HONDA 02:34:36 00:09:05 –

24

 38
  • ISRAEL ESQUERRE (CHL)
 SPEEDBRAIN 02:35:20 00:09:49 –

25

 29
  • DE AZEVEDO (BRA)
 HONDA 02:36:12 00:10:41 –

26

 16
  • JAKES (SVK)
 KTM 02:36:13 00:10:42 –

27

 30
  • VAN NIEKERK (ZAF)
 KTM 02:36:45 00:11:14 –

28

 27
  • GUASCH (ESP)
 GAS – GAS 02:37:10 00:11:39 –

29

 37
  • DE SOUZA (BRA)
 HONDA 02:37:18 00:11:47 –

30

 47
  • QUINTANILLA (CHL)
 KTM 02:38:33 00:13:02 –

31

 31
  • CECI (ITA)
 SPEEDBRAIN 02:39:09 00:13:38 –

32

 28
  • KNUIMAN (NLD)
 KTM 02:41:44 00:16:13 –

33

 102
  • REEVE (ZMB)
 KTM 02:41:49 00:16:18 –

34

 39
  • PABISKA (CZE)
 KTM 02:41:51 00:16:20 –

35

 50
  • SANZ (ESP)
 HONDA 02:42:04 00:16:33 –

36

 33
  • PELLICER (ESP)
 SUZUKI 02:42:11 00:16:40 –

37

 46
  • RODRIGUEZ (ARG)
 HONDA 02:42:46 00:17:15 –

38

 74
  • VOGELS (NLD)
 KTM 02:43:00 00:17:29 –

39

 43
  • ZANOTTI (SMR)
 TM 02:43:23 00:17:52 –

40

 40
  • SALVATIERRA (BOL)
 SPEEDBRAIN 02:43:55 00:18:24 –

41

 76
  • CARDONA VAGNONI (VEN)
 YAMAHA 02:44:42 00:19:11 –

42

 103
  • DE SOULTRAIT (FRA)
 YAMAHA 02:44:56 00:19:25 –

43

 20
  • ULLEVALSETER (NOR)
 KTM 02:45:47 00:20:16 –

44

 134
  • DIENER (AUS)
 YAMAHA 02:46:31 00:21:00 –

45

 67
  • VAN PELT (NLD)
 HONDA 02:46:40 00:21:09 –

46

 75
  • O’CONNOR (AUS)
 KTM 02:47:01 00:21:30 –

47

 52
  • RODRIGUEZ (CHL)
 HONDA 02:47:57 00:22:26 –

48

 34
  • STANOVNIK (SVN)
 KTM 02:48:36 00:23:05 –

49

 44
  • OLIVEIRA (PRT)
 SPEEDBRAIN 02:48:37 00:23:06 –

50

 49
  • OLIVEIRA (PRT)
 HUSQVARNA 02:48:48 00:23:17 –

51

 69
  • PAYEN (FRA)
 YAMAHA 02:49:58 00:24:27 –

52

 53
  • BIANCHI PRATA (PRT)
 HUSQVARNA 02:50:06 00:24:35 –

53

 45
  • OLIVERAS CARRERAS (ESP)
 GAS – GAS 02:50:30 00:24:59 –

54

 141
  • FERNANDEZ (URY)
 KAWASAKI 02:50:36 00:25:05 –

55

 55
  • PASCUAL (ARG)
 KAWASAKI 02:50:54 00:25:23 –

56

 73
  • DEMELCHORI (ARG)
 KAWASAKI 02:50:58 00:25:27 –

57

 133
  • TRIISA (EST)
 HONDA 02:51:14 00:25:43 –

58

 138
  • TOIA (ITA)
 KTM 02:51:26 00:25:55 –

59

 174
  • ARANA COBEAGA (ESP)
 YAMAHA 02:51:39 00:26:08 –

60

 41
  • PROHENS (CHL)
 YAMAHA 02:51:59 00:26:28 –

61

 83
  • CABRERA (CHL)
 KAWASAKI 02:52:02 00:26:31 –

62

 173
  • VIGLIO (ITA)
 BETA 02:52:12 00:26:41 –

63

 106
  • GOUNON (FRA)
 KTM 02:52:13 00:26:42 –

64

 184
  • MORENO KRISTIANSEN (COL)
 KTM 02:52:45 00:27:14 –

65

 59
  • CUMMINGS (ZAF)
 KTM 02:52:54 00:27:23 –

66

 155
  • URQUIA (ARG)
 YAMAHA 02:53:22 00:27:51 –

67

 163
  • BRIOSCHI (ITA)
 KTM 02:53:27 00:27:56 –

68

 90
  • BONY (FRA)
 KTM 02:53:37 00:28:06 –

69

 57
  • DA COSTA (FRA)
 YAMAHA 02:53:50 00:28:19 –

70

 51
  • ARREDONDO (GTM)
 KTM 02:54:21 00:28:50 –

71

 116
  • HERMET (FRA)
 KTM 02:54:53 00:29:22 –

72

 79
  • ONTIVEROS (ARG)
 YAMAHA 02:55:07 00:29:36 –

73

 126
  • NIJEN TWILHAAR (NLD)
 KTM 02:55:23 00:29:52 –

74

 56
  • MENARD (FRA)
 YAMAHA 02:56:25 00:30:54 –

75

 164
  • GOMEZ BENITEZ (ESP)
 BMW 02:56:27 00:30:56 –

76

 162
  • BRIOSCHI (ITA)
 KTM 02:56:43 00:31:12 –

77

 180
  • DAMDINKHORLOO (MNG)
 KTM 02:57:15 00:31:44 –

78

 86
  • NASER COLOMBO (CHL)
 KTM 02:57:38 00:32:07 –

79

 122
  • PALANTE (BEL)
 HONDA 02:57:52 00:32:21 –

80

 135
  • GUIRAL (ARG)
 HONDA 02:57:52 00:32:21 –

81

 42
  • PROHENS (CHL)
 YAMAHA 02:58:26 00:32:55 –

82

 60
  • VAN GERVEN (NLD)
 KTM 02:58:31 00:33:00 –

83

 98
  • HAMARD (FRA)
 KTM 02:58:34 00:33:03 –

84

 84
  • ZAHN (DEU)
 KTM 02:58:35 00:33:04 –

85

 176
  • MARCIC (SVN)
 KTM 02:58:52 00:33:21 –

86

 182
  • CERDERA (ARG)
 KAWASAKI 02:59:01 00:33:30 –

87

 68
  • VESELY (CZE)
 YAMAHA 02:59:03 00:33:32 –

88

 107
  • VAN HEERTUM (NLD)
 KTM 02:59:03 00:33:32 –

89

 183
  • TIEPPO (ARG)
 KTM 02:59:59 00:34:28 –

90

 165
  • ROBERTS (AUS)
 KTM 03:00:00 00:34:29 –

91

 77
  • ERASO ANGLADE (VEN)
 YAMAHA 03:00:26 00:34:55 –

92

 136
  • FUKAKUSA (JPN)
 HONDA 03:00:36 00:35:05 –

93

 175
  • BONNET (FRA)
 YAMAHA 03:01:15 00:35:44 –

94

 64
  • LAZARD (URY)
 KTM 03:01:26 00:35:55 –

95

 101
  • SARMIENTO CERON (COL)
 YAMAHA 03:01:35 00:36:04 –

96

 189
  • TRACCAN (FRA)
 HONDA 03:01:40 00:36:09 –

97

 89
  • THEURIOT (FRA)
 KTM 03:01:56 00:36:25 –

98

 58
  • PUERTAS HERRERA (ESP)
 GAS – GAS 03:01:59 00:36:28 –

99

 195
  • MASSU (CHL)
 YAMAHA 03:02:12 00:36:41 –

100

 80
  • REINIKE (CHL)
 KTM 03:02:13 00:36:42 –

101

 71
  • GRACIDA GARZA (MEX)
 HONDA 03:03:51 00:38:20 –

102

 125
  • GUZMAN BLANCO (CHL)
 KTM 03:04:08 00:38:37 –

103

 185
  • SALDARRIAGA (COL)
 KTM 03:04:21 00:38:50 –

104

 131
  • DESI (HUN)
 KTM 03:05:02 00:39:31 –

105

 65
  • HEINRICH (PER)
 HONDA 03:05:47 00:40:16 –

106

 115
  • PRUNIER (FRA)
 YAMAHA 03:06:27 00:40:56 –

107

 100
  • CROQUELOIS (FRA)
 YAMAHA 03:07:14 00:41:43 –

108

 72
  • SAGHMEISTER (SRB)
 KTM 03:07:16 00:41:45 –

109

 63
  • ERRAZURIZ (CHL)
 SHERCO 03:07:24 00:41:53 –

110

 82
  • VALLE (MEX)
 KTM 03:07:56 00:42:25 –

111

 85
  • PENATE MUNOZ (ESP)
 KTM 03:09:17 00:43:46 –

112

 78
  • QUERALES MALAVE (VEN)
 YAMAHA 03:09:22 00:43:51 –

113

 62
  • HEILENKOTTER (CHL)
 SHERCO 03:09:24 00:43:53 –

114

 160
  • BLANPAIN (BEL)
 KTM 03:09:42 00:44:11 –

115

 110
  • FUENTES (BOL)
 GAS – GAS 03:11:28 00:45:57 –

116

 177
  • CATANESE (ITA)
 YAMAHA 03:11:31 00:46:00 –

117

 88
  • DE FILIPPO (ITA)
 TM 03:11:46 00:46:15 –

118

 117
  • MEERU (EST)
 HONDA 03:11:47 00:46:16 –

119

 181
  • MAISONNAVE (URY)
 KTM 03:12:16 00:46:45 –

120

 186
  • MUGGLETON (USA)
 HONDA 03:12:36 00:47:05 –

121

 169
  • CHIVITE RUIZ (ESP)
 YAMAHA 03:12:48 00:47:17 –

122

 87
  • VELLUTINO (PER)
 KTM 03:13:55 00:48:24 –

123

 124
  • AMBLER (CHL)
 KTM 03:14:48 00:49:17 –

124

 130
  • GARD (FRA)
 YAMAHA 03:15:18 00:49:47 –

125

 139
  • QUADE (MEX)
 KTM 03:15:44 00:50:13 –

126

 149
  • QUIROGA (ARG)
 YAMAHA 03:16:09 00:50:38 –

127

 154
  • MARTI FLIX (ESP)
 GAS – GAS 03:16:17 00:50:46 –

128

 112
  • ROMERO FONT (ESP)
 YAMAHA 03:16:41 00:51:10 –

129

 113
  • SALIDO MEDINA (ESP)
 YAMAHA 03:16:42 00:51:11 –

130

 159
  • BRABECK-LETMATHE (AUT)
 HONDA 03:17:12 00:51:41 –

131

 114
  • PALACIOS (FRA)
 KTM 03:17:25 00:51:54 –

132

 151
  • BELAUSTEGUI (ARG)
 YAMAHA 03:17:28 00:51:57 –

133

 93
  • DE GROOT (NLD)
 HONDA 03:18:08 00:52:37 –

134

 161
  • MALARTRE (FRA)
 YAMAHA 03:19:36 00:54:05 –

135

 129
  • JACOBSEN (AUS)
 KTM 03:19:41 00:54:10 –

136

 95
  • MUTELET (FRA)
 YAMAHA 03:21:18 00:55:47 –

137

 94
  • NAPOLI (ITA)
 BETA 03:21:50 00:56:19 –

138

 109
  • DEL ZOTTO (ARG)
 GAS – GAS 03:23:14 00:57:43 –

139

 92
  • JOHNSON (USA)
 HONDA 03:23:19 00:57:48 –

140

 191
  • HOYOS LLACH (COL)
 HONDA 03:24:51 00:59:20 –

141

 104
  • NAMCHIN (MNG)
 KTM 03:25:20 00:59:49 –

142

 99
  • JAY (GBR)
 HONDA 03:25:36 01:00:05 –

143

 121
  • DAVIDSON (AUS)
 KTM 03:25:37 01:00:06 –

144

 171
  • ORTIZ (CHL)
 HONDA 03:26:02 01:00:31 –

145

 111
  • ESPINASSE (FRA)
 KTM 03:29:34 01:04:03 –

146

 108
  • PEDROLA (ESP)
 GAS – GAS 03:29:53 01:04:22 –

147

 105
  • BATALLA (ESP)
 GAS – GAS 03:30:51 01:05:20 –

148

 91
  • CID DE LA PAZ (ARG)
 YAMAHA 03:32:09 01:06:38 –

149

 118
  • GUYOMARC’H (FRA)
 YAMAHA 03:32:58 01:07:27 –

150

 142
  • TALINI (ITA)
 KTM 03:34:11 01:08:40 –

151

 187
  • VAN SINTEN (NLD)
 HONDA 03:37:30 01:11:59 –

152

 123
  • SABBATUCCI (ITA)
 YAMAHA 03:38:34 01:13:03 –

153

 140
  • MEIER VON SCHIERENBECK (PER)
 SUZUKI 03:41:30 01:15:59 –

154

 167
  • HARDY (USA)
 KTM 03:42:04 01:16:33 –

155

 120
  • AMESPIL (ARG)
 YAMAHA 03:42:18 01:16:47 –

156

 153
  • JAMIE (GBR)
 KTM 03:43:58 01:18:27 –

157

 192
  • MACHLAB (ESP)
 KTM 03:46:20 01:20:49 –

158

 146
  • DELAUNAY (FRA)
 HONDA 03:46:51 01:21:20 –

159

 147
  • REYNAUD (FRA)
 HONDA 03:47:04 01:21:33 –

160

 190
  • SENN VAN BASEL (NLD)
 KTM 03:48:03 01:22:32 –

161

 179
  • MAJOLI (DEU)
 KTM 03:55:08 01:29:37 –

162

 156
  • SEMINARA (ITA)
 YAMAHA 03:56:29 01:30:58 –

163

 157
  • CIAMPI (ARG)
 YAMAHA 04:04:59 01:39:28 –

164

 127
  • PETRONE (ARG)
 YAMAHA 04:11:42 01:46:11 –

165

 196
  • VILLARRUBIA (ESP)
 YAMAHA 04:13:58 01:48:27 –

166

 81
  • BELTRAMI (ITA)
 HONDA 04:14:17 01:48:46 –

167

 166
  • CALDERAY GONZALEZ (ESP)
 YAMAHA 04:19:57 01:54:26 –

168

 128
  • TORO (COL)
 YAMAHA 04:20:52 01:55:21 –

169

 143
  • KHADBAASAN (MNG)
 BMW 04:35:58 02:10:27 –

170

 178
  • LIBRALESSO (ITA)
 YAMAHA 05:04:19 02:38:48 –

171

 137
  • PERALTA (CHL)
 HONDA 05:06:39 02:41:08 –

172

 96
  • ESCALE (ESP)
 SUZUKI 05:19:38 02:54:07 –

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