Stage 6 – Where Am I?
Friday, January 8th, 2010It was a game of follow the leader in Stage 6 and unfortunately it was along the wrong path. Chilean Lopez Contardo, who started off the stage this morning for the bikes, veered off course around km 23 and many followed him including Spanish KTM rider Mark Coma. Not a good way to start the day. Coma put on a great show for the rest of the stage and was able to pull off the stage win with some quick, aggressive riding. The overall standings find Cyril Despres in first followed by Contardo. Coma’s save places him in fourth. The USA’s Jonah Street continues to put on an impressive showing in seventh position.
Stage 6 was not without spills as Portugese rider Paulo Goncalves suffered a broken collar bone in a crash at km 195 on the special. Goncalves left Antofagasta as sixth rider. Only 106 motorcycles started the stage this morning, down fifty-four from the original rally start. Injuries and mechanical problems are taking their toll.
We will check back in with the ladies and our other remaining US rider Boinnard during Stage 7.
