CAFÉ RACER 76: Dakar 2013– Leg 5: a one-two for Yamaha/Michelin

David Casteu and Olivier Pain handed Yamaha a one-two finish on SS5 which brought the 2013 Dakar 2013 into Chile. Tonight’s overall top three is an all-French, all-Michelin affair led by Pain, ahead of Casteu (+1m15s) and Despres (+6m7s).

Leg 5: Arequipa-Arica (411km)

Peru declared today to be a public holiday to celebrate the Dakar’s arrival in its southernmost province! As a consequence, there was an exceptionally big turnout of spectators and the highway toll booth at Moquegua was overwhelmed by curious onlookers.

Stage 5, between Arequipa to Arica, was particularly short (136km), but the twisty mountain tracks served as a handy transition which saw Yamaha 450 WRF riders David Casteu and Olivier Pain claim a one-two finish on Michelin Desert Race tyres.

It was Nice-based Casteu’s first success since the 2010 Dakar. “It was no stroll, I can tell you, because all the top guys are still in the running,” he emphasised at this evening’s overnight camp. “The conditions were fast and very rocky. I caught Olivier after a few kilometres and we ran together after that…”

Pain continues to top the provisional leaderboard as the event arrives in Chile, while Cyril Despres – who was fifth today – is the Yamaha pair’s closest chaser. He appears to be waiting for the ideal moment to pounce with the help of his team-mate Ruben Faria (sixth overall). Perhaps Thursday’s 455km stage in the Atacama Desert will provide that opportunity…

Tuesday’s stage winner Joan Barreda continues to experience a series of ups and downs but is still fourth in the order, despite being halted by a fuel pump problem at Km72 today. Meanwhile, his Husqvarna team-mate Paulo Gonçalves took a wrong heading at the beginning of the stage and was followed in his error by a number of other bikers…