In the 449 kilometre special stage between La Serena and Coplapo, KTM rider Frans Verhoeven won the 9th stage, taking his second stage win in the 2009 Dakar. Verhoeven started 33rd ahead of David Frétigné at three minutes and nine seconds, with local hero Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez third at 3:40. Coma, on the Repsol KTM, came home in fourth place trailing the leader by just 4:59, and factory teammate Cyril Despres, on the Red Bull KTM, was fifth at 6:03.

Having won his first special stage on a Dakar during the 5th stage, American Jonah Street (KTM) decided, as a precautionary measure, to not take starter’s orders for the 9th stage due to a very painful injury to one of his wrists.

Provisional overall standings after stage nine:

1. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM
2. David Fretigne, France, Yamaha
3. Cyril Despres, France, KTM
4. Francisco Lopez, Chile, KTM
5. Jordi Viladoms, Spain, KTM
6. Helder Rodrigues, Portugal, KTM
7. David Casteu, France, KTM
8. Frans Verhofen, Netherlands, KTM
9. Pal Anders Ullevalseter, Norway, KTM
10. Henk Knuiman, Netherlands, KTM

Source | eurosport

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