David FRETIGNE – YAMAHA – 1st in the bikes overall
« Getting going this morning was a bit tough. I guess I woke up off the wrong foot and I felt soft. At the beginning the numerous tracks confused me. But it's all fine now. At the end of the second lap I had found my pace. I tried to hold Thierry back and I stole a few more minutes from him, while having some fun, and still toning it down.»
Thierry BETHYS – HONDA – 2nd in the bikes overall
« It's the first time I did not get lost... this special was also very fast, but not as much as yesterday's: a lot of off-track in the camel grass. I like finding my cap on this kind of terrain. I try my best. Still no dunes today, but I'm not going to complain, it was a good day. »
Michel MARCHINI – YAMAHA – 3rd in the bikes overall
« The track was very nice today. I liked it. The ride was smoother, it was really nice and the landscape was magical. I started in the same frame of mind in the second lap. I remained very cautious since the passages in the fesh-fesh can hide a number of traps. I got both scratches today and I'm really happy about it. »
Bruno DA COSTA – HONDA – 4th in the bikes overall
« Today I had my exhaust and the problem was dealt with. I tried following Thierry; he's a good teacher. I got lost at the beginning of the second lap because of several misleading trails. I probably wasted 5 to 10 minutes getting back on the right track and then it was fine. The track was nice but still quite fast. Nothing wrong with my bike tough...…»
Michaël PISANO – YAMAHA – 9th in the bikes overall
« I focused on the navigation. I stayed cautious and careful, with just one little mistake at the end. I am trying to be even, and today, as opposed to the beginning of the rally, I had some fun. I am getting my bearings more and more and finding my own pace. I like it better when the track is windy though, I feel more at ease then. »
Frédéric LEPAN – KTM – 5th in the bikes overall
«My navigation was fine today and the special was nice. We made a good choice to prepare for the Dakar here. Every 200km we can work on mechanical problems. I am worried about my engine though, because it's beginning to show some weaknesses. I hope it will hold on… »
Sébastien COËT – KTM – 6th in the bikes overall
« The special wasn't as fun as yesterday's, even a bit monotonous... But it's also the idea, every leg is different and there's something in them for everyone. »
Harite GABARI – YAMAHA – 7h in the bikes overall
This thirty year-old Moroccan rider surprised everyone in this rally. For his first participation in a race, he is 7th in the overall: « It's awesome, everything is running fine. I hit a big hole in the second lap and broke my instruments' support, but I still made it to the finish line. I live around Agadir and I accompany bike raids or treks. It allows me to ride all the time and for a first experience, I am delighted. I think I caught the racing fever, because I now want to race more. »
Ken WORTMANN – KTM – 13th in the bikes overall
«Excellent ! I tried to make fewer navigation mistakes. All the speed in the world is useless if you can't navigate. I think I'll focus on my road book in the future.. »
Stephen MALONE – KTM – 2nd in the Enduro Cup
« Very fast, same as yesterday. A lot of direction changes, and quite tricky. I guess the briefing was useful, because the chott looked really tempting. The landscapes were beautiful, and thanks to Mr Schlesser for helping us to find the track!!! »
Sébastien WATRELOT – KTM
« The briefing had me worried, but I was careful and everything was fine. This leg was interesting, I was happy, as I have been everyday… »
Vincent ALBIRA – YAMAHA – 1st in the Quad category
«My back is hurting a lot. I checked with the medics, but there's not much to do. I thought I had a punctured tyre this morning, but it turned out the pressure wasn't right. Except for that the machine is doing fine! »
Laurent RENAULT – YAMAHA – 1st in the Enduro Cup
« I haven't had a single mechanical problem since the beginning. I am getting used to navigating with the instruments and I have to admit it is really convenient. My whole body hurts from yesterday and sometimes I want to go faster but I try to pace myself. My main goal is to finish the race. If I win the Enduro Cup, all the better! I am the only one doing the mechanical work, even if I get some help from Frank Helbert and Thierry Bethys' mechanics. There's a lot of solidarity between bikes and it's really nice. »
Leonid NOVITSKIY – BMW X3 – 1st in the cars overall
« I tried to catch up with Schlesser in the second lap and punctured two tyres, being too aggressive. But the car is running fine. »
Jean-Louis Schlesser – Buggy Schlesser – 2nd in the cars overall
«The special was nice, not as fast as yesterday's. The navigation and driving were varied. Since we made the trail in the first lap, in the off-track all Novitskiy had to do was to follow us, and that's where he got his advantage. One punctured back left tyre. On the second lap, still attacking hard, we got ahead and stole 7 minutes from him. The rest tomorrow. »
Ronan CHABOT – Toyota Land Cruiser – 3rd in the cars overall– 1st T2
« No particular difficulty. We left very quickly. This morning we opened the trail for Jean-Noël Julien who had a Tripmaster problem. We are still experimenting and worked specifically on the shock absorbers this morning. By fine-tuning them between the two laps, we collected some precious information. »
Jérémie CHOISEAU – Mitsubishi T2
« One day at a time... today for the first time we finished both laps. A punctured tyre this morning, 20 km from the finish line and and another one tonight, on the finish line. We are starting to have some fun and that's what matters. The ranking? Not our main concern. It's our first race, so let's be patient and cautious.! »
Frédéric Alard – SSV DAZON
« I had a great time. My radiator was leaking this morning and we had to fix it before the second lap. No punctured tyres, navigation wasn't a problem with all the trails.»
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Lydie ARPIZOU –
