Thierry BETHYS – HONDA – 1st in the bikes overall
« This morning everything was ok, I got a bit lost and ended up by myself at KM 110. I decided for self confidence and made it with a good trail. This afternoon things got a bit more complicated. I thought I was following David, but it was Michel Marchini. 28 km down the wrong path and I decided to turn around.
When I got to CP 1 I was confused and mad for not listening to myself from the beginning. But no one was behind me. I kept going, trusting my own navigation and it paid off. I had a bit of a scare towards the end, since 2 km from the finish line I had very little gas left. It was a great day for the Honda 450. Bruno Da Costa wins the leg and I get the lead in the overall. Races are never won until the end.»
David FRETIGNE – YAMAHA – 2nd in the bikes overall
« This leg was really hard in terms of navigation. This morning I got lost three of four times. The trails are often 30 km apart. Halfway through, Michel strayed off and I lost him. The second lap was even worse. So far I hadn't made too many mistakes, but today was quite different. Big gardening time! I made mistakes this afternoon in places where I was fine this morning... It's a race!»
Bruno DA COSTA – HONDA – 3rd in the bikes overall
« The day was awe-inspiring… The special was very fast and it was very easy to get lost. This morning I followed for half of the special and looked out for danger I tried to be really careful. In the second lap I went easy for the first 10 km.
I stayed close to the road book for there were many trails from the first lap. Harite was following me at the beginning but I gave him the slip around km 80. then I was by myself and arrived first, to my surprise! I listened to Thierry's navigation advice and it worked. It's the first time I am winning a leg! I didn't even think it could happen when I got here…»
Michel MARCHINI – YAMAHA – 4th in the bikes overall
«Some beginner's mistakes all day long and a lot of time wasted. I don't understand. This morning when the trouble started, I was 5 mn ahead of everyone. I probably rode an extra 150 km today. There are days like today when I should just stay at home.… »
Harite GABARI – YAMAHA – 5th in the bikes overall
« First of all, special thanks to Franck Helbert for helping me yesterday and for giving me a spare hub. Without him I couldn't leave this morning. I made the scratch in the first lap, this afternoon I did some gardening, like everyone else. I followed Bruno, but lost him around CP 2. it was still a good day. I am just disappointed I missed the win in the leg by a few seconds. I prepared with an old road book from the rallye de l’Atlas…and it wasn't that bad!»
Sébastien COËT – KTM – 6th in the bikes overall
« What a navigation exercise today! I stayed focused and consistent and tried not to go too fast. I didn't make too many mistakes. In the second lap I increased the speed and got the third time. Not that bad of a day after all…»
Michaël PISANO – YAMAHA – 7th in the bikes overall
« Physically it was very trying. It was very hot and the fesh-fesh was super tricky. It may be the hardest of the African legs I have had in my short career. There were an amazing number of trails and I really had to stay focused. This morning, to get out of it, I found the solution by watching Jean-Louis Schlesser. It really was a difficult leg. It really isn't my raly. It's has been trouble from the beginning. »
Christophe BLONDEAU – YAMAHA – 20th in the overall
« Navigation was terrible... I suffered a lo today. Also my ankle is a big handicap for holding the bike. If I fall, getting back up is hell. But I'm hanging in tight. »
Vincent ALBIRA – YAMAHA – 1st in the quad category
«My back pains got better but between the navigation and the track I had a tough time. A really hard special yesterday and today was even worse! At the beginning of the first lap I couldn't get my bearings and the cars helped me. Since I am a bit short with gas, I don't step down on it as much as I could. On days like today, one learns a lot… »
Laurent RENAULT – YAMAHA – 1st in the Enduro Cup category
« It was a great leg. I did two rounds of gardening and finally followed Jean-Paul Higy. Thanks to his experience, we made it.»
Leonid NOVITSKIY – BMW X3 – 1st in the cars general
« Two flat tires today, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.… we're still ahead in the general and we're waiting for Jean-Louis Schlesser to come and get us.»
Jean-Louis SCHLESSER – Buggy Schlesser – 2nd in the cars overall
«this morning we played tag with the Russians. He caught up with us on the plateau and we couldn't get rid of him. And we had a flat. Same as yesterday, after passing him, we followed him. But we were sneaky and we finally got rid of him. A bit more time and we are now 3’30’’ behind. »
Ronan CHABOT – Toyota Land Cruiser – 3rd in the car overall– 1st T2
«Shocks were too soft and gave up on us this morning. The last 20km this morning were unbelievable. A tough leg, one hell of a special! Today was no picnic, it took some elbow grease to make it…»
Jean-Noël JULIEN – Buggy Mégane – 4th in the cars overall
« the fan burned this morning and we got quite hot. No one got hurt though. The leg was beautiful and the navigation quite complex. »
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Lydie ARPIZOU – Photos NPO
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