Dakar: Stage 5 Er Rachidia to Ouarzazate notes

Stage 5: Er Rachidia to Ouarzazate
Monday, January 5, 2004

Liaison 56 km - Special 337 km - Liaison 182 km - Total 575 km

The road south carries on with a 575km stage that will be a good summary of all the difficulties that the competitors will meet throughout the rally. The day will take place on rolling pistes, some rocky sections, sand, dunes, and a real navigational test in the Chebbib Erg. Those who know the Dakar and rally-raids won't find it too hard to make it to the finish. On the other hand, the newcomers will suddenly discover all the surprises that such a rally can bring, before getting to Ouarzazate.

Ouarzazate : the door to the Great South, land where the sand seems to invade everything. Along the oueds of Drâa, Dadès and Ziz, will be kilometres of orchards, palm plantations and rose gardens. It is the start to the road to the oasis along the Draa valley all the way to Mhamid where suddenly the longest river of Morocco disappears mysteriously between sand and rock.

Bike

11:13 MEONI FASTEST AT CP2
Fabrizio Meoni (KTM n°3) has the fastest time at CP2 (km 129). The Italian leads ahead of Isidre Esteve Pujol (KTM n°19) by 2sec. Third so far is Cyril Despres (KTM N°2) at 29sec. Taking off late after his bad special yesterday, Richard Sainct (KTM n°1)is 7th at 2min57.

Car

11:55 VATANEN STOPPED AT KM 58
Winner of the first African special of this Dakar (his 50th on the rally), Ari Vatanen (Nissan n°205) is stopped at km 58 of the special between Er Rachidia and Ouarzazate for mechanical reasons. Both driver and co-pilot are repairing a front wheel.

Bike

13:26 ESTEVE PUJOL FASTEST AT CP3
Leader of the overall standing, Isidre Esteve Pujol (KTM n°19) has the fastest time so far at CP3 (km 229). Second is Despres (KTM n°2) at 15sec, followed by Roma (KTM n°4) at 50sec. Fastest at the first two CPs, Fabrizio Meoni (KTM n°3) is now fourth at 56sec. De Gavardo (KTM n°8) is fifth at 4min41. Bad day again for Richard Sainct (KTM n°1) who is 6th at 5min04 while his team mate Alfie Cox (KTM n°10) is at 5min05.

Car

13:45 MASUOKA FASTEST AT CP2
Hiroshi Masuoka (Mitsubishi n°201) has the fastest time at CP2 (km 129). Second is team mate Stephane Peterhansel (n°203) at 4sec, followed by Miki Biasion (Mitsubishi n°206) at 3min03.

Bike

14:01 ESTEVE PUJOL WINS SPECIAL
Isidre Esteve Pujol (KTM n°19) confirmed his excellent start to the Dakar. The Spaniard clocked the fastest time of the special between Er Rachidia and Ouarzazate ahead of compatriot Joan Roma (KTM n°4), 16sec behind. Third is Fabrizio Meoni (KTM n°3) at 22sec, followed by Andy Caldecott (KTM n°72) at 3min 47, Alfie Cox (KTM n°10) at 4min 26 and Giovanni Sala (KTM n°7) at 4min 34. Winner of last year's rally, Richard Sainct is only 8th at 5min14. In the overall, Esteve Pujol comforts his leadership with a 36sec advantage on Meoni.

Car

14:31 PETERHANSEL IMPRESSES AT CP3
Stephane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi n°203) clocked the fastest time at CP3 (km 229). Second is team mate Hiroshi Masuoka (n°201) at... 5min 42. Third is Gregoire De Mevius (BMW n°212) at 10min40, followed by the second BMW of Luc Alphand (n°207) at 10min 43. The first of the Nissan drivers is Giniel De Villiers in 5th spot at 11min31. Jean-Louis Schlesser (Schlesser-Ford n°200) is sixth at 11min41. After his front wheel problems, Ari Vatanen (Nissan n°205) is 35min25 adrift.

15:10 PETERHANSEL WINS SPECIAL
Stephane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi n°203) clocked the fastest time of the day's special between Er Rachidia and Ouarzazate (338kms). The Frenchman left his main rival Hiroshi Masuoka (Mitsubishi n°201) 4min35 adrift. Third was Giniel De Villiers on the first Nissan (n°208), 12min55 behind, followed by Alphand (BMW n°207) at 12min55, De Mevius (BMW n°212) at 14min05 and McRae (Nissan n°202) at 14min17.

In the overall, Peterhansel comforts his leadership with a 6min12 advantage on Masuoka. De Mevius is third at 15min33.

Truck

17:26 TCHAGUINE WINS SPECIAL
Vladimir Tchaguine (Kamaz n°414) claimed stage 5 special victory, his first on this Dakar. The Russian beat Gerard De Rooy (DAF n°417) by 4min23. Third was De Azevedo (Tatra n°412) at 13min01. IN the overall, Tchaguine takes the leadership ahead of De Rooy by 2min46. Vladimir Tchaguine (Kamaz n°414) claimed stage 5 special victory, his first on this Dakar. The Russian beat Gerard De Rooy (DAF n°417) by 4min23. Third was De Azevedo (Tatra n°412) at 13min01. IN the overall, Tchaguine takes the leadership ahead of De Rooy by 2min46.

-aso-