Team orders were the news of the day on Stage 11 of the 2014 Dakar Rally. Hit the jump for our quick recap of the day’s winners and losers.
In the motorcycle class Honda’s Joan Barreda was able to gain time on overall leader Marc Coma but the remaining gap of nearly 40 minutes is a pretty long ask with only two stages remaining. At the minimum Honda and Barreda can take pride in a top finish in the Dakar, an especially impressive feat by a relatively young factory team.
In the cars the juggernaut X-R aid MINI team has locked up the 2014 Dakar with a solid hold on the top four spots. As a result the remaining stages will be demonstrations drives by the team, baring unlikely mechanical issues, because team orders have been instituted and the current order is to remain until the end of the rally, ensuring Nani Roma a victory in the 2014 Dakar Rally.
Most fans would have been surprised if a MINI didn’t win the 2014 Dakar Rally but it would be nice if the race were allowed to go all the way to the final stage.
http://youtu.be/93i_kfCEZmI
For more on the day’s events check out the official site: www.dakar.com
