Click video to see the highlights from Stage Eight (8) of the 2010 Dakar. Pending validation by the race stewards, Chilean Francisco Lopez Contardo gave a 2nd special stage victory to the Italian constructor Aprilia on the 32nd Dakar, his 3rd personal triumph in the event. With a time of 5.29:25, "Chaleco", as he is known in the bivouac, beat Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM) by 42" and Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM) by 1’22.
The consequences for the general standings, dramatically shaken by the 6-hour penalty handed out yesterday to Marc Coma for illegal assistance on the 7th special, are that Frenchman Cyril Despres remains very comfortably out in front with a lead that now stands at 1.20:31 over Norway’s Ullevalseter, the new 2nd-placed rider, and 1.24:21 over Chilean Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez.
Benda motorcycles are beginning to make a ripple on US shores with four intriguing and competitive models, courtesy of its partnership with Keeway Group. We were impressed with the Napoleonbob 500 and have now gotten our gloves on the persuasive, entry-level 2026 Benda Chinchilla 300, with its modest MSRP of $4999. It would be difficult to design a more welcoming entry-level cruiser than this easy-handling, visually appealing boulevard bobber. Editor Don Williams and Associate Editor Kelly Callan discuss the Benda Chinchilla 300 and how it actually rode for them.
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Our guest this episode is Jesse Merriman, Chief Technician for Jeremy McWilliams at the Arch Motorcycle racing project. Arch Racing was founded by Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reevs to compete in the Moto America Super Hooligan race series. Teejay Adams chats with Jesse about the Arch motorcycle and the challenges of extracting the absolute most from an air-cooled V-Twin racing engine and custom chassis.
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Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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