AMV Shamrock - Schlesser and Fretigne the winners

The last leg of this AMV Shamrock-Rallye du Maroc 2008 did not give us great surprises for the leaders in the overall. The heavy rains in tHe last hours over the region of Laâyoune made it considerably easier for the competitors by making the sand harder. Beautiful finish line and champagne for the winners. For the bikes, David Frétigné wins, ahead of Thierry Bethys and the surprising Bruno Da Costa.

Last try for Michel Marchini on this last leg and a fourth place in the overall. Laurent Renault, steady and motivated during six legs, wins the first place for the Enduro Cup. On four wheels Jean-Louis Schlesser wins ahead of Leonid Novitskiy and Ronan Chabot, who wins the T2 category. Spaniard Vicent Climent gets the quad category in front of Vincent Albira and Jean-Christophe Ménard. First SSV Frédéric Alard gets his single seater in front of Alain Fricker.

For the first time since the beginning of the rally the cars and bikes were on a different track. While the cars went over a 30 km sandy reg, the bikes were to meet in the sand pit, 20km where everything could be lost. But the heavy sand made it easier in the end.

At km 27 the tracks joined again and became fast as it overlooked a gigantic chott. Nearing the Atlantic ocean, the 68 km alongside the beach were much awaited for..

And five for David Frétigné …

After six days of an eventful race, David Frétigné got his 5th victory on this rally. A lot of fun and happiness for the Team HFP Yamaha rider :

« It's a race I particularly like and I'll never forget it was the first rally I ever was in, thanks to Jean- Claude Olivier. Since then we've come back often to test our bikes. Big changes this year and the level is much higher. It is a great race, difficult and which has managed to stay convivial. The navigation was much harder than usual and more accurate too. It's a perfect rally for beginners. I was focused until the last kilometer and did want to think it was going to be easy. I am happy to win in Morocco for the 5th time! »

Second place behind David Frétigné is Thierry Bethys, on a Honda. Results after this rally : « I had a good week. The changes towards the end of the week made it interesting. Yesterday I had my first hard fall and it made me more cautious. Going through the dunes was fairly physical but my goal was to keep my second place. When I arrived on the beach I obviously though of the Touquet…Thanks to all the people who allow me to live my passion, my sponsor and my teammates. And Bravo to Bruno! »

On the third step of the podium, another Honda, Bruno Da Costa's. Threatened by Michel Marchini, Bruno succeeded in keeping his third place in the special:

« If you'd told me at the beginning of this rally that I would bee on the podium, I would have signed up for it immediately. And I am on it! I was under pressure until the end and it was the rain that helped me today by allowing me to follow David and Michel's traces. The rally was nice and the organization at the top. Now I just have to convince my sponsors to get me to Tunisia! »

Fourth in the overall after winning a number of scratches, but unhappy at the beginning, Michel Marchini does not regret coming :

« My mistakes at the beginning cost me a lot but in terms of performance I am into it and it was satisfying. A few regrets in terms of navigation, with my poor choices. But you learn from your mistakes and I did well all the same. A beautiful rally with great legs. Next race for me is the Dakar, on the same bike. »

In the top five, Mickael Pisano thinks he learned a lot for his third participation in a rally. The severe penalties and spirits down at the beginning still let him finish happy.

Congratulations to Moroccan rider Harite Gabari, who is very happy with his first experience of the competition and who also hopes to come to Tunisia.

For the Enduro Cup, Laurent Renault won, surprised as he was by his own performance :

« For my second Shamrock, the goal was to finish and the results were beyond my expectations. First in the Enduro Cup and 10th in the overall is not bad... I loved the conviviality in the discipline and want to thank Thierry Bethys and Franck Helbert for their help. Thanks also to Jean-Paul Higy for his precious help in navigation. I am very happy. »

For the quads, Vicent Climent led his Bombardier to the first step of the podium in front of Vincent Albira, very promising for his first race, and Jean-Christophe Ménard, unhappy in this last day : « It was a difficult time as I had lots of mechanical problems but the opponents were worthy ones too. The organization was perfect and the road books well made. I am very happy with this first place. »

- Lydie ARPIZOU -  photos NPO