Dakar – Dakar moto 2015 – stage 3: Walkner appears … but Hernik tragically disappears –

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Dakar moto 2015 – stage 3: Walkner appears … but Hernik tragically disappears

Dakar - Dakar moto 2015 - stage 3: Walkner appears ... but Hernik tragically disappears -

The first Dakar victory for Austrian debutant Matthias Walkner (KTM) is unfortunately overshadowed by the death of Polish biker Michal Hernik, found lifeless at km 206 of the third stage in Argentina…

The first Dakar victory for Austrian debutant Matthias Walkner (KTM) is unfortunately overshadowed by the death of Polish biker Michal Hernik, found lifeless at km 206 of the third stage in Argentina…

The rally mourns the disappearance of Michal Hernik…

Contested between San Juan and Chilecito (Argentina), the third stage had a little over 300 km of special. Much shorter than the exhausting stage of the day before (518 km in scorching temperatures), this new portion was nevertheless extremely delicate, especially during the last kilometers where the bikers had to deal with abrupt crossings …

"It was really a very technical stage with even a rather dangerous last part because of many rios swollen by the last rains and of breaks and rather high mini ravines", analysis Joan Barreda Bort, winner yesterday and who retains the first place overall by finishing third behind the astonishing Matthias Walkner and the favorite Marc Coma.

Contesting his first rally on a KTM Replica Rally, Matthias Walkner is a young Austrian rider aged 28, titled in the MX3 motocross world championship. For his first participation in the Dakar, the n ° 27 strikes hard by winning a stage in the regular ahead of the cracks of the category !

"For the moment I have won, but there are still a few fast riders who must arrive. What is certain is that I drove well, but I still made some mistakes", concedes- he realistically.

"There were a few dangers, with a lot of rocks in particular. It’s pretty cool. I went faster than Joan Barreda, but he was leading the way, it was more difficult for him. (…) I know that the hardest part is going to happen these days, since there will be more navigation. It’s very different from what I can do with a motorcycle, "predicts the KTM rider.

Unfortunately, the exciting and refreshing aspect of the victory of a beginner like Walkner is totally swept away by the tragic disappearance of another rookie, that of the Polish Michal Hernik, found lifeless at km 206 …

The 39-year-old Michal was taking part in the Dakar for the first time, where he was 84th overall. He had participated in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in 2014 and the Rallye du Maroc in 2013, events that he had completed. 

He was therefore a biker with rally-raid experience, as he proved the day before by finishing the very selective second stage during which many rookies surrendered..

"Indeed, he had done the entire 2nd stage," observed Thierry Lavigne, race director. "He arrived around 5 p.m. (9 p.m. French) and had time to get a night’s sleep before leaving in the morning".

The circumstances of Hernik’s death have yet to be determined, as his body apparently showed no outward signs of an accident. Lying on the ground, the Polish biker had removed his helmet and his motorbike was lying on the ground, with no apparent damage.

"We redid his circuit and probably he was looking for his way because he was not in the right direction", remarks Lavigne who sent a medical helicopter to search for him less than an hour after the signal from his beacon had stopped. ’emit.

"We have a coordination PC here with two people dedicated to Irritracks who no longer work," explains the race director. "When we saw that the Irritrack was not working and that Michal was not at the finish of the special, we launched the search. He was found less than 45 minutes later, 300 m from the track. "

As required by local law, an Argentinian judge was brought in to investigate the circumstances of the death. Michal Hernik is the 5th competitor to be killed since the relocation of the rally to South America in 2009, and the 24th since the creation of this rally in 1979.

The entire Site team joins in the grief of the family and loved ones of Michal Hernik.

The king of rallies mourns the disappearance of Michal Hernik

Traced between San Juan and Chilecito (Argentina), the third stage – the last before entering Chile – had a little over 300 km of special. Much shorter than (518 km in scorching temperatures), this portion was nevertheless difficult, especially during the last kilometers punctuated by abrupt crossings..

"It was really a very technical stage with even a rather dangerous last part because of many rios swollen by the last rains and breaks and rather high mini ravines", analysis Joan Barreda Bort, who retains the first place overall by finishing third behind the astonishing Matthias Walkner and the favorite Marc Coma.

Aligned on a KTM Replica Rally, Matthias Walkner is a young Austrian rider aged 28, titled in the MX3 motocross world championship.

For his first participation in the Dakar, the n ° 27 strikes hard by winning a stage in the regular ahead of the cracks of the category ! "So far I have won, but there are still a few fast riders to come. What is certain is that I rode well, but I still made a few mistakes ", he notes however realistically..

"There were a few dangers, with a lot of rocks in particular. It’s pretty cool. I went faster than Joan Barreda but he opened the track, it was more difficult for him. (…) I know that the most difficult part is going to happen these days, since there will be more navigation. It’s very different from what I can do with a motorcycle ", predicts the KTM rider.

Alas, the exciting and refreshing aspect of the victory of a beginner like Walkner is totally swept away by the tragic disappearance of another rookie, that of the Polish Michal Hernik found lifeless at km 206…

"Presumably, he was looking for his way …"

The 39-year-old Michal was taking part in the Dakar for the first time and was in 84th place in the general classification. He had participated in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in 2014 and the Rallye du Maroc in 2013, which he had both managed to complete.. 

He was therefore a biker with experience in rally-raid, as he proved the day before by finishing the during which many rookies surrendered.

"Indeed, he had done the entire 2nd stage," observed Thierry Lavigne, race director. "He arrived around 5 pm (9 pm French time) and had time to get a night’s sleep before leaving in the morning".

The circumstances of Hernik’s death have yet to be determined, as his body apparently showed no outward signs of an accident. Lying on the ground, the n ° 82 had removed his helmet and his motorcycle was lying on the ground, without apparent damage.

"We redid his circuit and probably he was looking for his way because he was not in the right direction", remarks Lavigne who sent a medical helicopter to search for him less than an hour after the signal from his locator beacon went off. stopped broadcasting.

"We have a PC Coordination here with two people dedicated to Irritracks who no longer work," explains the race director. "When we saw that the Irritrack was not working and that Michal was not at the end of the stage, we started the search. He was found less than 45 minutes later, 300m from the track".

An Argentinian judge was seized to investigate the circumstances of the death. Michal Hernik is the 5th competitor to be killed since the relocation of the rally to South America in 2009, and the 24th since the creation of this rally in 1979.

The entire Site team joins in the grief of the family and loved ones of Michal Hernik.

Video summary of stage 3 of Dakar 2015 

Results and rankings of stage 3 of the Dakar moto 2015 (top 100)

  1.  27 WALKNER (AUT) KTM 02:34:28 – –
  2.  1 COMA (ESP) KTM 02:35:08 00:00:40 –
  3.  2 BARREDA BORT (ESP) HONDA 02:36:21 00:01:53 –
  4.  26 PRICE (AUS) KTM 02:37:13 00:02:45 –
  5.  7 GONCALVES (PRT) HONDA 02:37:17 00:02:49 –
  6.  14 DUCLOS (FRA) SHERCO TVS 02:37:39 00:03:11 –
  7.  11 FARIA (PRT) KTM 02:37:54 00:03:26 –
  8.  12 ISRAEL ESQUERRE (CHL) HONDA 02:38:30 00:04:02 –
  9.  4 VILADOMS (ESP) KTM 02:39:04 00:04:36 –
  10.  10 PEDRERO GARCIA (ESP) YAMAHA 02:39:49 00:05:21 –
  11.  6 SUNDERLAND (GBR) KTM 02:39:51 00:05:23 –
  12.  31 QUINTANILLA (CHL) KTM 02:40:07 00:05:39 –
  13.  18 SVITKO (SVK) KTM 02:40:43 00:06:15 –
  14.  19 BOTTURI (ITA) YAMAHA 02:40:44 00:06:16 –
  15.  5 RODRIGUES (PRT) HONDA 02:41:29 00:07:01 –
  16.  17 METGE (FRA) YAMAHA 02:42:19 00:07:51 –
  17.  29 SANZ PLA-GIRIBERT (ESP) HONDA 02:43:56 00:09:28 –
  18.  21 JAKES (SVK) KTM 02:44:10 00:09:42 –
  19.  9 CASTEU (FRA) KTM 02:44:22 00:09:54 –
  20.  20 VAN NIEKERK (ZAF) KTM 02:44:35 00:10:07 –
  21.  3 PAIN (FRA) YAMAHA 02:46:03 00:11:35 –
  22.  37 VOGELS (NLD) KTM 02:48:10 00:13:42 –
  23.  44 DE SOULTRAIT (FRA) YAMAHA 02:50:06 00:15:38 –
  24.  16 GOUET (CHL) HONDA 02:50:21 00:15:53 –
  25.  60 CABRERA (CHL) KAWASAKI 02:51:18 00:16:50 –
  26.  25 PLANET (FRA) SHERCO TVS 02:52:02 00:17:34 –
  27.  8 PRZYGONSKI (POL) KTM 02:53:02 00:18:34 –
  28.  79 ARANA COBEAGA (ESP) YAMAHA 02:54:10 00:19:42 –
  29.  88 VERHOESTRAETE (COG) SHERCO 02:54:35 00:20:07 –
  30.  40 PATRAO (PRT) SUZUKI 02:54:57 00:20:29 –
  31.  62 SOUVIGNET (FRA) KTM 02:55:57 00:21:29 –
  32.  15 VERHOEVEN (NLD) YAMAHA 02:57:26 00:22:58 –
  33.  30 GUASCH (ESP) YAMAHA 02:57:47 00:23:19 –
  34.  24 DE AZEVEDO (BRA) HONDA 03:00:10 00:25:42 –
  35.  22 PIZZOLITO (ARG) HONDA 03:00:11 00:25:43 –
  36.  28 SALVATIERRA (BOL) KTM 03:00:13 00:25:45 00:01:00
  37.  34 PABISKA (CZE) KTM 03:00:35 00:26:07 –
  38.  38 BERGLUND (SWE) KTM 03:01:28 00:27:00 –
  39.  32 THIS (ITA) KTM 03:02:04 00:27:36 –
  40.  49 GYENES (ROU) KTM 03:02:33 00:28:05 –
  41.  140 GOTTVALD (CZE) HUSQVARNA 03:03:49 00:29:21 –
  42.  71 VAYSSADE (FRA) SHERCO 03:06:24 00:31:56 –
  43.  74 FERNANDEZ EROSTARBE (URY) KAWASAKI 03:06:39 00:32:11 –
  44.  161 LOPEZ JOVE (ARG) KAWASAKI 03:06:48 00:32:20 –
  45.  151 ENGEL (CZE) KTM 03:07:53 00:33:25 –
  46.  65 VAN DEN GOORBERGH (NLD) KTM 03:08:17 00:33:49 –
  47.  160 KLYMCIW (CZE) KTM 03:09:09 00:34:41 –
  48.  35 STANOVNIK (SVN) KTM 03:10:36 00:36:08 –
  49.  53 PISANO (FRA) KTM 03:10:38 00:36:10 –
  50.  36 PIATEK (POL) KTM 03:11:22 00:36:54 –
  51.  45 DA COSTA (FRA) YAMAHA 03:12:15 00:37:47 –
  52.  69 PAYEN (FRA) YAMAHA 03:13:59 00:39:31 –
  53.  103 REEVE (ZMB) KTM 03:14:33 00:40:05 –
  54.  146 AYESA (ARG) YAMAHA 03:15:16 00:40:48 –
  55.  113 BRIOSCHI (ITA) KTM 03:15:37 00:41:09 –
  56.  73 ERRAZURIZ (CHL) HUQSVARNA 03:15:53 ​​00:41:25 –
  57.  129 VAN GERVEN (NLD) KTM 03:16:33 00:42:05 –
  58.  57 LAZARD (URY) KTM 03:18:32 00:44:04 –
  59.  61 ONTIVEROS (ARG) BETA 03:18:44 00:44:16 –
  60.  51 MEERU (EST) HONDA 03:20:13 00:45:45 –
  61.  81 FUENTES (BOL) KTM 03:20:17 00:45:49 –
  62.  112 ECHEVESTE (ARG) HONDA 03:20:31 00:46:03 –
  63.  48 RIOS (PER) KTM 03:21:28 00:47:00 –
  64.  63 CARILLON (FRA) KTM 03:21:28 00:47:00 –
  65.  46 GOMEZ (ARG) YAMAHA 03:22:10 00:47:42 –
  66.  67 DESI (HUN) KTM 03:22:15 00:47:47 –
  67.  68 VESELY (CZE) KTM 03:22:35 00:48:07 –
  68.  59 CHUNCHUNGUPPE SHIVASHANKAR (IND) KTM 03:23:27 00:48:59 –
  69.  168 MORENO KRISTIANSEN (COL) KTM 03:23:39 00:49:11 –
  70.  84 MARTENS (NLD) KTM 03:23:44 00:49:16 –
  71.  144 UDRY (CHE) KTM 03:23:49 00:49:21 –
  72.  55 HEINRICH (PER) SUZUKI 03:24:37 00:50:09 –
  73.  114 BRIOSCHI (ITA) KTM 03:24:50 00:50:22 –
  74.  125 HINTENAUS (ZAF) KTM 03:24:53 00:50:25 –
  75.  72 CAVELIUS (FRA) KTM 03:25:26 00:50:58 –
  76.  80 SARMIENTO CERON (COL) YAMAHA 03:25:46 00:51:18 –
  77.  50 BUTUZA (ROU) KTM 03:26:36 00:52:08 –
  78.  78 PASCUAL (ARG) KTM 03:27:54 00:53:26 –
  79.  109 LACUNZA (ARG) KTM 03:28:01 00:53:33 –
  80.  83 DAMDINKHORLOO (MNG) KTM 03:28:43 00:54:15 –
  81.  54 ARREDONDO (GTM) KTM 03:28:54 00:54:26 –
  82.  86 GRACIDA GARZA (MEX) KTM 03:29:58 00:55:30 –
  83.  77 GUIRAL (ARG) HONDA 03:30:30 00:56:02 –
  84.  75 SULLIVAN-PAVEY (AUS) KTM 03:31:05 00:56:37 00:01:00
  85.  152 GAJDOSECH (ARG) YAMAHA 03:32:32 00:58:04 –
  86.  58 PUERTAS (ESP) KTM 03:34:46 01:00:18 –
  87.  154 PEDROLA (ESP) YAMAHA 03:35:32 01:01:04 –
  88.  100 CROQUELOIS (FRA) KTM 03:37:27 01:02:59 –
  89.  153 PETRONE (ARG) YAMAHA 03:42:03 01:07:35 –
  90.  156 SENKALAYCI (TUR) KTM 03:43:48 01:09:20 –
  91.  76 PAVEY (AUS) KTM 03:44:31 01:10:03 –
  92.  165 OZDEMIR (TUR) KTM 03:45:56 01:11:28 –
  93.  138 SCHELLEKENS (NLD) KTM 03:47:04 01:12:36 –
  94.  70 STASIACZEK (POL) KTM 03:48:06 01:13:38 –
  95.  135 VAN DAELE (NLD) HONDA 03:48:09 01:13:41 –
  96.  128 FERNANDEZ MENDEZ (ESP) KTM 03:48:51 01:14:23 –
  97.  126 VAN HEERTUM (NLD) KTM 03:48:53 01:14:25 –
  98.  127 FERNANDEZ (ESP) KTM 03:49:21 01:14:53 –
  99.  102 URQUIA (ARG) YAMAHA 03:49:48 01:15:20 –
  100.  158 MARTENS (NLD) KTM 03:50:06 01:15:38 –

Results and provisional classification of the Dakar motorcycle 2015

  1.  2 BARREDA BORT (ESP) HONDA 09:43:05 – –
  2.  7 GONCALVES (PRT) HONDA 09:48:38 00:05:33 –
  3.  27 WALKNER (AUT) KTM 09:53:38 00:10:33 –
  4.  1 COMA (ESP) KTM 09:53:55 00:10:50 –
  5.  11 FARIA (PRT) KTM 09:55:15 00:12:10 –
  6.  26 PRICE (AUS) KTM 09:55:29 00:12:24 –
  7.  4 VILADOMS (ESP) KTM 09:57:12 00:14:07 –
  8.  12 ISRAEL ESQUERRE (CHL) HONDA 10:01:38 00:18:33 –
  9.  5 RODRIGUES (PRT) HONDA 10:01:39 00:18:34 –
  10.  10 PEDRERO GARCIA (ESP) YAMAHA 10:06:07 00:23:02 –
  11.  14 DUCLOS (FRA) SHERCO TVS 10:06:45 00:23:40 –
  12.  18 SVITKO (SVK) KTM 10:09:41 00:26:36 –
  13.  31 QUINTANILLA (CHL) KTM 10:10:58 00:27:53 –
  14.  9 CASTEU (FRA) KTM 10:15:21 00:32:16 –
  15.  20 VAN NIEKERK (ZAF) KTM 10:17:16 00:34:11 –
  16.  29 SANZ PLA-GIRIBERT (ESP) HONDA 10:17:19 00:34:14 –
  17.  17 METGE (FRA) YAMAHA 10:18:27 00:35:22 –
  18.  19 BOTTURI (ITA) YAMAHA 10:18:33 00:35:28 –
  19.  3 PAIN (FRA) YAMAHA 10:20:59 00:37:54 –
  20.  21 JAKES (SVK) KTM 10:26:14 00:43:09 –
  21.  37 VOGELS (NLD) KTM 10:38:05 00:55:00 –
  22.  8 PRZYGONSKI (POL) KTM 10:38:41 00:55:36 –
  23.  44 DE SOULTRAIT (FRA) YAMAHA 10:38:47 00:55:42 –
  24.  16 GOUET (CHL) HONDA 10:40:43 00:57:38 –
  25.  25 PLANET (FRA) SHERCO TVS 10:42:54 00:59:49 –
  26.  30 GUASCH (ESP) YAMAHA 10:54:08 01:11:03 –
  27.  28 SALVATIERRA (BOL) KTM 10:58:56 01:15:51 00:01:00
  28.  15 VERHOEVEN (NLD) YAMAHA 11:01:18 01:18:13 00:05:00
  29.  24 DE AZEVEDO (BRA) HONDA 11:03:34 01:20:29 –
  30.  62 SOUVIGNET (FRA) KTM 11:08:45 01:25:40 00:01:00
  31.  88 VERHOESTRAETE (COG) SHERCO 11:11:16 01:28:11 –
  32.  40 PATRAO (PRT) SUZUKI 11:11:26 01:28:21 –
  33.  79 ARANA COBEAGA (ESP) YAMAHA 11:12:03 01:28:58 –
  34.  32 THIS (ITA) KTM 11:14:32 01:31:27 –
  35.  34 PABISKA (CZE) KTM 11:15:16 01:32:11 –
  36.  38 BERGLUND (SWE) KTM 11:20:00 01:36:55 –
  37.  160 KLYMCIW (CZE) KTM 11:25:31 01:42:26 –
  38.  45 DA COSTA (FRA) YAMAHA 11:38:30 01:55:25 –
  39.  161 LOPEZ JOVE (ARG) KAWASAKI 11:39:49 01:56:44 –
  40.  35 STANOVNIK (SVN) KTM 11:44:23 02:01:18 –
  41.  65 VAN DEN GOORBERGH (NLD) KTM 11:50:50 02:07:45 –
  42.  36 PIATEK (POL) KTM 11:52:05 02:09:00 –
  43.  60 CABRERA (CHL) KAWASAKI 11:54:43 02:11:38 01:00:00
  44.  69 PAYEN (FRA) YAMAHA 11:57:54 02:14:49 –
  45.  49 GYENES (ROU) KTM 12:01:18 02:18:13 –
  46.  46 GOMEZ (ARG) YAMAHA 12:02:11 02:19:06 –
  47.  151 ENGEL (CZE) KTM 12:02:35 02:19:30 –
  48.  103 REEVE (ZMB) KTM 12:08:00 02:24:55 –
  49.  74 FERNANDEZ EROSTARBE (URY) KAWASAKI 12:08:47 02:25:42 –
  50.  6 SUNDERLAND (GBR) KTM 12:11:42 02:28:37 –
  51.  78 PASCUAL (ARG) KTM 12:14:59 02:31:54 –
  52.  129 VAN GERVEN (NLD) KTM 12:19:39 02:36:34 –
  53.  59 CHUNCHUNGUPPE SHIVASHANKAR (IND) KTM 12:21:30 02:38:25 –
  54.  48 RIOS (PER) KTM 12:25:46 02:42:41 –
  55.  113 BRIOSCHI (ITA) KTM 12:26:22 02:43:17 –
  56.  57 LAZARD (URY) KTM 12:27:10 02:44:05 –
  57.  63 CARILLON (FRA) KTM 12:35:53 02:52:48 –
  58.  81 FUENTES (BOL) KTM 12:36:12 02:53:07 –
  59.  54 ARREDONDO (GTM) KTM 12:40:14 02:57:09 –
  60.  146 AYESA (ARG) YAMAHA 12:42:12 02:59:07 00:02:00
  61.  55 HEINRICH (PER) SUZUKI 12:43:35 03:00:30 –
  62.  67 DESI (HUN) KTM 12:44:20 03:01:15 –
  63.  109 LACUNZA (ARG) KTM 12:47:44 03:04:39 –
  64.  72 CAVELIUS (FRA) KTM 12:50:24 03:07:19 –
  65.  84 MARTENS (NLD) KTM 12:50:42 03:07:37 –
  66.  114 BRIOSCHI (ITA) KTM 13:01:01 03:17:56 –
  67.  125 HINTENAUS (ZAF) KTM 13:02:56 03:19:51 –
  68.  68 VESELY (CZE) KTM 13:05:53 03:22:48 00:02:00
  69.  50 BUTUZA (ROU) KTM 13:10:15 03:27:10 –
  70.  71 VAYSSADE (FRA) SHERCO 13:14:16 03:31:11 –
  71.  80 SARMIENTO CERON (COL) YAMAHA 13:16:23 03:33:18 00:05:00
  72.  73 ERRAZURIZ (CHL) HUQSVARNA 13:23:48 03:40:43 –
  73.  168 MORENO KRISTIANSEN (COL) KTM 13:30:44 03:47:39 –
  74.  144 UDRY (CHE) KTM 13:30:52 03:47:47 00:02:00
  75.  23 FARRES GUELL (ESP) GASGAS 13:43:21 04:00:16 –
  76.  51 MEERU (EST) HONDA 13:44:42 04:01:37 –
  77.  75 SULLIVAN-PAVEY (AUS) KTM 13:59:27 04:16:22 00:06:00
  78.  76 PAVEY (AUS) KTM 14:06:49 04:23:44 00:02:00
  79.  22 PIZZOLITO (ARG) HONDA 14:08:30 04:25:25 00:05:00
  80.  77 GUIRAL (ARG) HONDA 14:25:27 04:42:22 –
  81.  70 STASIACZEK (POL) KTM 14:25:39 04:42:34 –
  82.  87 REINIKE (CHL) KTM 14:27:13 04:44:08 –
  83.  58 PUERTAS (ESP) KTM 14:41:16 04:58:11 –
  84.  61 ONTIVEROS (ARG) BETA 14:42:54 04:59:49 –
  85.  112 ECHEVESTE (ARG) HONDA 14:46:32 05:03:27 00:01:00
  86.  100 CROQUELOIS (FRA) KTM 14:54:01 05:10:56 –
  87.  98 GULDMAN GONZALEZ (CHL) KAWASAKI 14:58:48 05:15:43 –
  88.  165 OZDEMIR (TUR) KTM 15:07:35 05:24:30 –
  89.  53 PISANO (FRA) KTM 15:08:23 05:25:18 –
  90.  156 SENKALAYCI (TUR) KTM 15:13:00 05:29:55 00:07:00
  91.  126 VAN HEERTUM (NLD) KTM 15:16:11 05:33:06 –
  92.  64 NIJEN TWILHAAR (NLD) KTM 15:19:43 05:36:38 –
  93.  158 MARTENS (NLD) KTM 15:20:58 05:37:53 –
  94.  132 VAN HEERTUM (NLD) KTM 15:23:16 05:40:11 –
  95.  153 PETRONE (ARG) YAMAHA 15:24:47 05:41:42 –
  96.  138 SCHELLEKENS (NLD) KTM 15:26:08 05:43:03 00:00:30
  97.  83 DAMDINKHORLOO (MNG) KTM 15:27:03 05:43:58 –
  98.  56 MENARD (FRA) KTM 15:27:48 05:44:43 –
  99.  152 GAJDOSECH (ARG) YAMAHA 15:40:27 05:57:22 –
  100.  139 VAN BERGEIJK (NLD) HUSABERG 15:40:30 05:57:25 00:01:00

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