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FINAL:
STAGE 15 of 15 REPORT, JAN 15, 2006
KTM:
Thank You Marc
- One day all the
efforts of a life flows together in an unforgettable success. A success
that explains away all the commitments and the sacrifices of an entire
career, This day becomes one of the most rewarding appointments of the
life. This occur not to all people, but in the sport this day assists
to the birth of a new Champion.
- After five endeavours,
and after fifteen catchy days, Marc Coma won his first Dakar and his
success has been celebrated on the podium located at the Lake Rose,
the mythic site where the Dakar rewards his Champions. Marc Coma was
excited, happy as a kid. Simply happy, but his first words were dedicated
to Andy Caldecott, the saddest note of the race. Then the Repsol KTM
Champion analyzed his race: "I was well prepared to fight a long
and difficult battle. And I already learned that in order to win a Dakar
at least two things have to occur. First is not to make mistakes, second
is that opponents make at least one mistake. If nothing of that happens,
then you have to feel the right moment and unlock the gas. I did not
made big mistakes, Cyril was unlucky and fell, and finally I only had
to administer a favourable situation. Anyway it has been a ten days
long stress. With a marvellous final purpose reached. Thanks to everybody.
Thanks to KTM.
- And thanks to
you, Marc, you made a great job, but thanks to Cyril also, that shown
an heroic temperament continuing the race in partially disabled conditions.
And thanks to Giovanni Sala, that accomplished one of the most difficult
goals reaching the podium together with helping his Repsol KTM Team
mates. Thanks finally to all the Team Managers, especially this one
that Spanish one that has been the recordman of second places in the
history of the Dakarand has buil the two Spanish winners of the recent
editions of the race. Do you know him? I'm sure, yes.
- Of course all
the riders that have chosen a KTM have to be thanked, not only the first
eight of the overall standings. And some special appreciations are mandatory.
To the American Red Bull Team, that growth more and more and grazed
the podium with Chris Blais, or the fastest privateers, as Norwegian
Pal Ullevalseter or Alain Duclos. A special mention have to be attributed
to the temperament of David Casteu, that put himself at the service
not only of the team but has been protagonist in the delicate situation
in which he managed first to assist the unlucky rider Isidre Esteve
when the Spanish fell down, and then absorbed the responsibility to
ultimately stop the spanyard. That's a special meaning that complete
the rune of this special Champions of the Rally Raids.
- All the riders
and the different teams finally have to thanks Hans Trunkenpolz, the
general coordinator of one of the most impressive family-factory represented
in the African rallies and of this 28th Dakar. This KTM fleet of naval
destroyers of the desert is a very big deal also for an expert admiral.
It involves many aspects of motor sports and a very particular lifestyle.
So please Hans, take now a rest.
- One day, some
ten years ago, a reference Champion devoted to an historic motorcycle
brand had a great idea and begun to dream of a special machine in order
to cross victoriously the deserts of the planet. He worked hardly, soldering
frames and suggesting details to protect the liability of a winning
enduro machine. His name is Heinz Kinigadner, and he newer was able
to win the most hard and famous rally, but his dream is now realized,
and starting from 2001 non one other brand has been able to bit this
KTM dream machine.
- Thanks also to
your clemency when reading our particular reflections on a very particular
race.
MITSUBISHI:
ALPHAND AND PICARD CLINCH SIXTH SUCCESSIVE DAKAR RALLY WIN
- DAKAR, Sénégal
– Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team driver Luc Alphand and co-driver
Gilles Picard clinched victory in the 28th Dakar Rally today (Sunday).
The feat marked a record-breaking 11th win for the Japanese automotive
manufacturer and the sixth successive triumph since the Millennium.
Team mates Joan ’Nani’ Roma and Henri Magne and Stéphane
Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret finished third and fourth overall.
- The outright success
was the first for Alphand - last year’s runner-up and a former
World Downhill skiing champion - and the second for his French co-driver
Gilles Picard, who had won the Dakar with fellow Frenchman Jean-Pierre
Fontenay in 1998.
- The French crew
had taken the outright lead between Bamako in Mali and Labé in
Guinea, when former Peterhansel crashed into a tree and damaged his
rear suspension and transmission. Despite fierce pressure from second-placed
South African driver Giniel de Villiers, Alphand took few risks over
the closing three days of the 14-stage event to record a winning margin
of 17m 53s after the final timed section near Dakar was cancelled.
- "My first
attempt at the Dakar Rally ended with a seat in a helicopter and I never
wanted to be in that position again," said Alphand. "I knew
I had a great chance to win. The team worked so hard on the development
of our car and I think over the 15 days we were the better all-round
team. It’s a fantastic feeling to win the Dakar. I experienced
many highs and lows in my skiing career, but this is so different."
- Spaniard Roma
had joined the Mitsubishi team for his first event in October 2005 and
finished sixth on his Dakar debut in a car last year. On this occasion
he and Andorra-based co-driver Magne finished a superb third overall
in a second Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Evolution.
- "It has been
a fantastic race from the start," said Roma. "All the time
it has been close, exciting and very difficult for the drivers and the
co-drivers. For me it is great to be on the podium. I am part of a superb
team at Mitsubishi and everyone has worked so hard to achieve this success."
- The French duo
of Peterhansel and Cottret had moved into the outright lead of the event
on the second of four stages through the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
last week. But the eight-times winner struck a tree in ’Black
Africa’ and lost over three hours and any chance of taking a hat-trick
of wins in Dakar.
- "I made a
mistake a few days ago and with the level of competition we have seen
this year on the Dakar, there was no way I could recover that time,"
said Peterhansel. "Whether you finish fourth or fifth does not
really matter. I am disappointed that I could not complete the hat-trick
of wins, but Mitsubishi has won the race and that is the priority. It
is also great for Luc and Gilles to take a first win together."
- "I am so
happy for every member of our team," said Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart
Team President Isao Torii. "I would like to thank everyone for
their work and thanks to our partners and sponsors for their efforts.
I have been with this team for the last two victories and this was the
most exciting of the races. It has been a privilege to be a part of
this success and to see the French and Japanese members of the team
working together so successfully. Tomorrow we will switch our focus
to preparing to win the race for a seventh successive time in 2007."
- "Last year
I could count our Dakar victories on two hands," joked a delighted
Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team Director Dominique Serieys. "But
now we have won 11 times I have a missing finger! It was not an easy
race, but our entire team showed complete motivation to reach our target
of a sixth successive win. We have a smaller team and a smaller budget
than our rivals, but we have performed superbly well."
- "I think
the deciding factor on this year’s Dakar was our overall team
experience and the knowledge of our drivers," said Repsol Mitsubishi
Ralliart Team Technical Director Thierry Viardot. "It was very
close in the early stages, but I was confident that there were three
days in Mauritania where Mitsubishi would have the advantage. We made
a wise tire choice when it mattered, our teams made only minor mistakes
in the dunes and with the navigation and they coped well under pressure."
YAMAHA:
- In tribute to
the two children who lost their lives during the passage of the Dakar
caravan, the ultimate Lac Rose stage was not timed. The results timed
after the 14th stage were to be the official times to end this year's
Dakar.
After 9.093 kilometres, of which 5.000 kilometres covered in specials,
the 2006 Le Dakar has come to an end on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
From the 232 bikes attending the start in Portugal, only 93 had made
it to this last stage, once again confirming its reputation of world's
toughest Rally raid.
- David Frétigné
- Yamaha France Ipone:
"It was very relaxed today, rounding up the event. It was a bit
disappointing that there wasn't a final confrontation due to the neutralization,
but completely understandable. Although the main objective is to arrive
in Dakar, it is victory that drives me. This year I had a competitive
bike, good enough to win stages. With all occurred situations it wasn't
really possible for me to live up to those expectations. The Dakar 2006
is finished and yet I am thinking about the next event in February:
the Touquet enduro race, where I will be competing on a similar bike
as current champion Arnoud Demeester.
- With my wife and
children,I will stay in Dakar for another week to enjoy the good things
in life. After that I will return home to prepare for Le Touquet. A
moment of rest will follow to get ready for the new enduro season."
STAGE
14 of 15 REPORT, JAN 14, 2006
MITSUBISHI:
ALPHAND WILL TAKE A 17M 53S LEAD INTO SUNDAY’S FINAL DAKAR STAGE
- DAKAR, Sénégal
– Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team driver Luc Alphand and co-driver
Gilles Picard will take a 17m 53s overall advantage into the final 31
kms special stage of the 28th Dakar Rally on Sunday, after setting the
eighth fastest time between Tambacounda and Dakar in Sénégal,
today (Saturday).
- Last year’s
runner-up drove cautiously through today’s varied special stage
to avoid making a costly mistake and finished in eighth position, dropping
4m 20s to his nearest South African rival Giniel de Villiers after a
small navigational mistake. But the Frenchman will only need to coast
around the final stage on Sunday to confirm a record-breaking sixth
successive Dakar triumph for the Mitsubishi team.
- "We
were listening for every noise on the car," said Alphand. "We
had one very stressful moment. We weren’t lost, but (Bruno) Saby,
de Villiers, (Carlos) Sainz and myself all went the wrong way. I found
myself in the middle of the Volkswagens. I was looking for number 305
and then we saw De Villiers and I decided to latch on to his tail. Finally
we found the way easier than them and we were okay. Now I think it is
very nearly finished. I hope that we can have a beach party on Sunday!"
- Spaniard
Joan ’Nani’ Roma and Andorra-based co-driver Henri Magne
started the special behind the three Volkswagens of Carlos Sainz, Giniel
de Villiers and Bruno Saby and were fastest overall to the first passage
control. But they were delayed into the second passage control with
a navigational mistake and finished the special in 18th position, 33
minutes behind the stage-winning Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit.
- "We
made one navigational mistake in a small village," said Roma. "We
made a 30 kms error and had to go back to the same village and start
again. I did not panic. Henri was anxious for a minute, but I told him
to relax because we had plenty of time in hand and there was no need
to be nervous."
- Stéphane
Peterhansel and co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret began the morning’s
special seventh on the road behind Thierry Magnaldi’s Buggy and
finished the stage with the 14th fastest time. They will start the final
leg in fourth, albeit a mere 3m 01s ahead of American Mark Miller in
the overall standings.
- "We
had some problems with the wiring to the tripmeters," said Peterhansel.
"There was a fire and it wiped out the tripmeters. We had to finish
the last 100 kms of the stage without the trips. That makes the navigation
very difficult."
- "Our
objective was not to take the stage win, but to make sure that we took
no risks and continued on our path towards Lac Rose on Sunday,"
said Repsol Mitsubishi Rallliart Team Director Dominique Serieys. "I
am pleased we made it safely to Dakar. Now we have one stage to go.
Tomorrow Luc will line-up alongside De Villiers at the stage start.
Cars will start in pairs on the last stage in position order, so it
was important to play a tactical race today."
- (Tomorrow) Sunday
is the final day of this year’s Dakar Rally and offers a traditional
sandy special stages en route to the finish at Lac Rose. The 31 kms
stage begins 38 kms from the city center and offers a similar and varied
route to last year, including the now famous run along the beach for
the victorious teams.
YAMAHA:
- The road to the
capital of Senegal , being the last stage of importance before the finish
line, was set significantly different compared to last year's. The numerous
changes of direction forced the riders to be very attentive. Still,
the changed route led to navigational errors for many of the top competitors
as Cyril Despres (Fra), Alain Duclos (Fra) and Giovanni Sala (Ita),
but not for David Frétigné. The World Enduro Champion
managed to win his first stage in this year's Le Dakar, bringing his
grand total to seven victories. Setting a third time on CP1, David kept
on riding in a high pace and slowly caught up with leader Marc Coma
(Spa). In the last part of the stage, David managed to pass Coma and
he kept his leading position until Dakar finishing 33 seconds ahead
of Coma. This victory was a well-deserved reward for the Yamaha WR450F
rider. Gaining three places on the overall leader board, David ends
the penultimate day in 13th position overall.
- David Frétigné
- Yamaha France Ipone:
"The last three or four days I was in good form. If I had not been
confronted with yesterday's problems I could have won that special too.
I left Tambacounda in seventh position and I did a good job in navigating
today. Contrary to other riders it was a perfect day for me. Practically
all day's special I drove up with Marc Coma. After CP1, he clinched
to the group of Despres who seemed lost. I didn't stick to the beaten
paths, knowing where I was. Relying on my road-book, Marc (Coma) noticed
me taking another route and followed me. Then I made a small detour,
but returned on the right path where I rejoined Marc Comas. After that
I set the pace higher resulting in my seventh Dakar victory. It is very
important for me, for Yamaha and for my technical team!
We stopped at the finish of the special in Thiès to pay tribute
to last year's deceased Fabrizio Meoni in a ceremony that the organisation
had arranged for him. The remaining two kilometres I was filled with
emotions, also knowing I was soon to be reunited with my wife and two
children."
STAGE
13 of 15 REPORT, JAN 13, 2006
MITSUBISHI:
ALPHAND EXTENDS DAKAR RALLY LEAD WITH SECOND SUCCESSIVE STAGE WIN
- TAMBACOUNDA, Sénégal
– Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team driver Luc Alphand and co-driver
Gilles Picard extended their overall lead in the 28th Dakar Rally to
22m 13s, after winning their second successive special stage between
Labé in Guinea and Tambacounda in eastern Sénégal,
today (Friday).
- The
French crew had begun this morning’s stage first on the road and
with a lead of 20m 31s over South African Giniel de Villiers. They took
advantage of a clear track to post the fastest time at both the first
and second passage controls and Alphand maintained his pace to the stage
finish.
- "It
was a big advantage to be first on the road," said Alphand. "We
had an excellent pace, but were under pressure from Giniel and wanted
to make no mistakes with the navigation. It was a tough stage with many
turns, like a trial sometimes in first gear among the rocks. I knew
that the BMW was not far behind as well, so it was quite exciting. We
can control the race tomorrow. We can let Giniel past and then follow
the dust. To be here was the goal. We hit a rock, but all is okay."
- Spaniard
Joan ’Nani’ Roma and Andorra-based co-driver Henri Magne
began the day sixth on the road and in fourth place. Roma was seventh
through PC1 and finished the section with the fifth fastest time to
maintain the final podium place on the penultimate major African stage.
- "I
can sense Dakar is very close," said a smiling Roma. "Today
I had two punctures and broke a wheel. Every kilometer was so dangerous.
It is not possible to catch Giniel now, but we have a big lead over
Stéphane and will be able to drive our own race on Saturday.
I am not concerned with the VWs. The race and my destiny are in my own
hands."
- Stéphane
Peterhansel and co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret had arrived in the Labé
bivouac at 20.10 hrs on Thursday evening, after losing time with damaged
rear suspension following an accident. The defending champions began
this morning’s stage in 60th place on the road, after losing 3h
10m on Thursday and slipping to fourth overall.
- But
they began a charge through the backmarkers over today’s stage
and had overtaken more than 30 slower cars by the first PC to post the
eighth fastest time. Peterhansel was up to seventh at PC2 and completed
the stage in seventh place to maintain fourth overall.
- "Luc
was first on the road and I suppose he drove a perfect stage today,"
said Repsol Mitsubishi Rallliart Team Director Dominique Serieys. "He
showed that he can cope with the pressure of being in front. I am sure
that our cars and those of our competitors are not as strong as they
were at the start in Portugal. It was been a very tough rally.
- "But
I am confident that Luc and Gilles can hold off the cars behind. It
has been a great competition so far - a really exciting race. Stéphane
did a good job today. He is a champion, but he made a mistake yesterday.
We must remember that he is a human being and not a machine."
- Tomorrow
(Saturday) is the last of the long stages on this year’s Dakar
Rally and the route will take the Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team to
Dakar and within sight of the finish on Sunday. After a 107 kms liaison,
the 254 kms special stage heads north and then in a westerly direction
to a finish 273 kms from the coastal capital of Sénégal.
- This stage has
caused several problems in the past for surviving crews, as teams pass
numerous crowded villages on a myriad of tracks where navigation and
extreme care are crucial.
STAGE
12 of 15 REPORT, JAN 12, 2006
MITSUBISHI:
ALPHAND WINS STAGE AND TAKES OVERALL DAKAR RALLY LEAD INTO GUINEA
- LABE, Guinea –
Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team driver Stéphane Peterhansel and
co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret lost the outright lead of the 28th Dakar
Rally to team mates Luc Alphand and Gilles Picard, after a dramatic
368 kms special stage between Bamako and Labé in the Republic
of Guinea, today (Thursday).
- Defending
champion Peterhansel had begun the day with a 25-minute lead over his
team mate and was classified fifth through the first passage control.
But the Frenchman stopped 15 kms from the second control point after
hitting a tree and damaging his Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Evolution
at the 278 kms point.
- He lost
a little over one hour making repairs to the rear left-hand suspension
and transmission of the car, but was forced to stop again shortly after
the second passage control. The crew were still waiting for the Mitsubishi
assistance truck near the end of the stage at 16.45 hrs (CET).
- Team mates
Luc Alphand and Gilles Picard had been fastest overall at the 214 kms
point, until they caught Bruno Saby’s dust. They passed the Frenchman
before PC2 and arrived at the control in the dust of front-runner Giniel
de Villiers.
- But last
year’s runner-up went on to set the outright fastest time and
moved into the overall lead of the event. He will take a 20m 31s advantage
over De Villiers into the special stage between Labé and Tambacounda
on Friday.
- Spaniard
Joan ’Nani’ Roma and Andorra-based co-driver Henri Magne
began the day unchallenged in fourth place and were sixth through the
opening passage control and eighth through PC2. They completed the stage
in sixth position and moved up to third overall following Peterhansel’s
problems.
- "I
said in Nouakchott that anything can happen at any time on this race,"
said Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team Director Dominique Serieys. "Stéphane
had a collision with a tree today, but Luc did a great job for us. We
had a lead of over one hour, but then we had navigation trouble and
both our drivers hit a tree, so now Luc must be very careful. I am pleased
that he is first on the road on Friday. It means he will stay out of
the dust. Nani will need to try and protect Luc without taking any risks."
- Tomorrow
(Friday) the event crosses from Guinea into Sénégal and
teams will begin to feel they are on the home straight. The special
begins a mere seven kilometers out of Labé and finishes 348 kms
to the north en route to the overnight halt at Tambacounda. A 212 kms
liaison completes the day’s timetable and steers teams into the
remote eastern Sénégalese town.
- But this is a
special stage with a difference and crews will cross several mountaineous
passes up to an altitude of 1,000 meters where dust will be a problem
and there will be limited opportunities to overtake.
STAGE
1-11, 2006
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