Even though he's used to it, Jean Louis Schlesser doesn't like leading the way for others. This is the problem with all terrain rallies. In World Championship WRC racing the 10 first on scratch can choose their departure order, but in Rally Raid, the best time of the Special the day before leaves in front the next day.
The first half of the route was very soft sand that provided infinite possibilities to get stuck or lost and of course, the Sonnagol-Schlesser buggy advanced whilst reading the land whilst the followers only had to read their tracks. We all know that Cyril Esquirol is a brilliant navigator... In the sand with Jean Louis Schlesser they are a dream team for finding the right track... Furthermore, because four lorries directly followed the Sonangol buggy at the start of the Special, the cars just behind had an easy track to follow with well compacted ruts.
But it's all part of the spirit of the race, the winner is always at a disadvantage the next day. Jean Louis Schlesser didn't win the stage on Monday (he was third) but remained way ahead in the overall classification and enjoyed his day's driving...
"I drove 'conservatively' to not get stuck or make any mistakes. As I've lead almost everyday so far, the others follow behind as they know that Cyril Esquirol is a great navigator! What's more, the cars had the lorries in front of them, who marked out a nice track! That said, the Special was demanding with very soft sand at first. It was also a magnificent stage, not the most difficult (that was yesterday) but there were wonderful landscapes. We didn't see any canyons like yesterday but we were faced with the immense desert and big open spaces. It's the desert as you imagine it when you're a child. Difficult nonetheless but not so tough. No problems and still no punctures throughout the rally. But maybe that will come tomorrow!"
Today is a short Special in comparison to the preceding days, only 196 km, then a very long liaison of 471 km. It includes crossing the Senegalese border. The NGor beach and the Lac Rose are getting closer!
