LEG 6 : GREID LAREICH – BOULANOUAR
This last stage on the Moroccan ground was divided in two parts, a sandy first one with small dunes crossings on quite fast tracks, and a second one on a track between cairns which became more and more stony until the finish.
Many parallel tracks disturbed the game even for the best competitors… This stage typically drawn for the buggies offered a great fight between the two wheel-drive cars. Once again, Jean-Louis Schlesser, the “desert fox”, was the fastest ahead Régis Delahaye. Still overall leaders, Jérôme Pelichet and his Bowler are waiting for the Mauritanian sand to keep advantage of their smaller and lighter car to keep control. Patrick Sireyjol should have been able to sign the top time but a problem on his deflating system, and then a puncture, stopped his effort while Stéphane Henrard chose to be patient. But the bad news came today from the Belgian Jacky Loomans, one of the leaders in the car category, who broke his engine…
In bikes category, Norbert Dubois sets the fastest time and come back day after day in the competition after a difficult start. The French rider stayed concentrated on the courses during the whole stage and finishes ahead the overall leader, Willy Jobard. Before Mauritania and the sand stages, Norbert stays calm… Once again, Thomas Bourgin tried to forget his pain and rode perfectly from the start to the finish. A young and very brave rider! Bruno N’Diaye, a little bit lost between the parallel tracks decided to vistit the Greid Lareich area…
In trucks category, the fight between Elisabete Jacinto and Tomas Tomecek is not a word… During next stages this battle should last as the Czech is keen on this terrain and the Portuguese has a revenge to take. But THE surprise of the day happened at the bivouac this morning when the Hungarian driver, Miklos Kovac arrived… Disappeared from the second stage when the front part of his truck was destroyed at km 70, after huge efforts, the N° 400 is on his way to Mauritania. Congratulations to the Qualisport mechanics who did an amazing job!
At the end of the stage, a long liaison will drive competitors to the border between Morocco and Mauritania. From tomorrow, the race will take a new face in the Sahara sand dunes…
WHAT THEY SAID
BIKES
Norbert Dubois: « I feel better and better day after day. Before the legs in Mauritania, I want to stay as cool as possible. Willy has a big time advantage, so I wait to see what will happen… »
Willy Jobard: « I was under the “control” position. I tried to avoid navigation mistakes but Norbert is the fastest on this kind of stage. Mauritania will be the key…”
Thomas Bourgin: « I tried to forget my pain and stayed concentrated on navigation. I manage my condition day after day. “
CARS
Jean-Louis Schlesser: « Navigation was not easy today but Céline is better and better day after day.”
Régis Delahaye: « We were on a good pace. The route was great in driving and as usual Alex did not make any mistake. “
Jérôme Pelichet: « It was a stage for buggies! Too fast for us… but we are waiting for Mauritania where our small and light car should be more efficient.”
Stéphane Henrard: « I’m impatient to be in Mauritania and at the same time I worry about it as I know it’s a demanding terrain.”
Patrick Sireyjol: « Two stops due to a problem on the inflating-deflating system and then a puncture. After that it was stupid to try to push the limit. After the Chegaga experience two days ago, I learnt a lot and I want to be efficient in Mauritania.”
CAMIONS
Elisabete Jacinto: « No trouble this year at the end of this stage! Last year, we had so many problems here. I’m happy and I’m impatient to join Mauritania.”
