With one factory rider out of contention due to injuries and the other two failing to better the team’s previous year’s performance, it would be fair to say that Team TVS Sherco has ended its 2016 Dakar campaign on a rather disappointing note.
Alain Duclos, who was running on a strong 22nd position till the 12th stage, was hit with a 5 hour 55-minute penalty in this penultimate stage of the rally. The reason for this penalty would have been quite comical, had the situation been not so grave. The Spaniard had stopped mid-way through the stage to repair his bike, during which his helmet disappeared. This penalty saw him freefall straight to the 42nd position, ending his chances of improving his previous year’s 25th position. Despite finishing 23rd in the final stage, Duclos had to make do with the 42nd place for this year’s Dakar.
French rider Florent Vayssade on the other hand, continuing his consistent performance, ended the race in the 27th position. This result is a big improvement over his previous year’s performance, where he had failed to finish due to a crash near Salar de Uyuni. The third factory rider - Juan Pedrero Garcia had to end his raid post the 10th Stage after meeting with a serious crash in the sand dunes of Fiambal Ai.
The 2016 Dakar rally was won by Australian Toby Price, bringing in the 15th consecutive victory for KTM. His KTM teammate Stefan Svitko finished second while Husqvarna rider Pablo Quintanilla completed the podium. In the cars category, Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel brought in the first victory for Peugeot.
