Cyril Despres
Posted on 01/03/2005 10:24:53 AM PST by Fierce Allegiance
Adios’ and thank you Barcelona
After the spectacular super special staged in Castelldefels, just outside Barcelona, day 2 of the Telefonica Dakar 2005 saw the competitors head south for a long 920km liaison to Granada. A long, very long day, for both man and machine with a stopover in Castellon for a CP and lunch break. Farewell Barcelona and ‘gracias’ for your warm welcome!
Barcelona will once again be remembered for its fine welcome to the Dakar rally. For the third visit of the Catalan city, the rally witnessed four terrific days. First of all in the Palau Sant Jordi, on the Montjuic hill that hosted some of the greatest moments of the 92 Olympics where every single vehicle was checked and re-checked during scrutineering by the race inspectors, under the careful eye of the Catalan fans. But the real show was to take place on the beach of Castelldefels and what a spectacular event it was… Thousands of fans massed around the race circuit, soft sand, jumps, falls, drama and three fine winners in David Frétigné (YAM – n°12) in the bike category, Robby Gordon (VW – n°321) on four wheels and Hans Bekx (DAF – n°524) in the truck race. Meanwhile, a lot of privateers found it tricky just making it the finish line of the 6km course. The road to Dakar will be tough, very tough for many, especially on African soil.
The final touch to the Barcelona ‘fiesta’ happened this morning on the official start podium of the Placa de Espanya. The courageous competitors of the World’s biggest rally-raid received a final ‘adios’ from fans, friends and family. All 462 vehicles went through the symbolic start gate… All but one!
The Dakar adventure is often full of despair and very bad experiences. And sometimes even the worst moments occur before the rally has even started. Unlike many, Denis Comte certainly want keep a fond memory of Barcelona. Shortly after a super special he finished in 214th position, the Frenchman discovered that his van had been broken into and that all his valuables had disappeared. Impossible in such conditions to take off for the 9000km of the rally. Poor old Denis will have spent months financing his Dakar project and will finally have completed only 6km of special in the race!
Meanwhile, bikes, cars and trucks were heading to Granada, 920km further south, via Castellon for a check point and lunch break. Some took longer than others and were still awaited at the CP late in the afternoon while the main favourites on two wheels were expected at around 18h00 on the finish podium of Granada.
After a night’s rest (longer for some than for others!) the competitors will face a last European test tomorrow with a fast and spectacular special staged on a military ground outside Granada. After that, it’ll be time for the first kilometres on African soil…
NEWSFLASHES
21:34 The favourites in Granada
After the first cars made it to Granada, the buggies of Jean-Louis Schlesser and Josep-Maria Servia were the first of the top cars to arrive on the finish line. The Schlesser-Ford were shortly followed by Colin McRae in his Nissan, and the Mitsubishi Pajero Evo drivers: Hiroshi Masuoka, Luc Alphand and Stéphane Peterhansel.
20:19 KTM-Gauloises and first car in Granada
After the first few privateers made it to the finish of their long 920km liaison from Barcelona, the first ‘big guns’ have arrived in Granada. The entire KTM-Gauloises official team with Fabrizio Meoni (KTM – n°4), Cyril Despres (KTM – n°2), Alfie Cox (KTM - n°3) and Jean Brucy (KTM – n°9) climbed on the finish podium of the Southern Spanish city. Meanwhile, Frenchman Jean-Pierre Strugo (MER – n°322) was the first car driver to cross the finish line.
18:50 First 5 in Granada
The first five competitors (all in the bike race) have made it to the finish line of stage 2, a liaison between Barcelona and Granada, via a CP in Castellon. The first to go up the podium at 18h40 were Hansson (KTM – n°198) and Ambrosino (KTM – n°200). Both riders were shortly followed by Terranova (KTM – n°172), Eland (KTM – n°164) and Borsi (KTM – n°227).
17:37 News from Castellon CP
In the closing hours of the afternoon, the race inspectors have signalled that 34 vehicles have not cleared the Castellon CP. 23 cars, 5 trucks and 6 bikes were still to make it to the mandatory check point. The 6 bikers are Sanna Cocco (KTM – n°41), Lepan (KTM – n°76), Verzeletti (KTM – n°150), Terranova (KTM – n°172), Buratti (HON – n°196) and Renders (KTM – n°203). Meanwhile, most of the Dakar competitors were heading south on the motorway to Granada. The first vehicles were expected at around 18h00 on the finish podium of the stage.
15:32 9 bikers still expected at CP
229 bikes have made it to the Castellon check point for a lunch break before heading to Granada. Nine bikes were still expected: Sanna Cocco (KTM – n°41), Lepan (KTM – n°76), Kay (HON – n°119), Vion (HON – n°135), Verzeletti (KTM – n°150), Terranova (KTM – n°172), Buratti (HON – n°196), Renders (KTM – n°203) and Montero Perez (BOM – n°246). Meanwhile on four wheels, 40 vehicles have made it to Castellon where thousands of fans have gathered to cheer on the Dakar competitors.
14:28 First competitors at Castellon CP
After the first 380 kms of the long liaison stage to Granada, the first competitors have made it to the Castellon check point. 169 bikes have cleared the CP as well as three cars: Servia (SCH - n°301), Schlesser (SCH – n°300) and Peterhansel (MIT – n°306). Sixty bikers are still expected in Castellon for lunch as well as 162 cars and all the trucks that took off last from the Placa de Espanya in Barcelona.
13:59 Comte forced to quit
Frenchman Denis Comte (KTM n°43) was forced to withdraw from the race and not take the start of today’s stage 2 heading to Granada. The 53 year-old had all his official documents (passport, etc) money and credit cards stolen in his assistance van based in Barcelona. Impossible in such conditions to take off for the biker who had financed his Dakar project by himself. There are now only 463 vehicles remaining in the rally race including 229 bikes.
13:43 Adios Barcelona
Sun and fun in Barcelona! In a fantastic atmosphere around the podium of the Placa de Espanya, the competitors took of at 9h00 for the long road to Granada via a CP in Castellon. Thousands of fans gathered to cheer the Dakar caravan in the first hours of this New Year. Under a bright sunny sky, the first bikers to hit the road were Swiss team Sandro Lanaro and Rudolf Howald (APR – n°250) on their sidecar bike, rapidly followed by all bikes, cars and trucks. As expected the Spanish riders of the KTM Repsol team (Isidre Esteve and Marc Coma) and Mitsubishi’s Nani Roma received the warmest farewell from the Catalan crowd. Almost all competitors looked in perfect shape for this ‘real’ start to the rally, having taken it easy for the New Year’s celebration. No time for partying, they all went to bed shortly after midnight for a well deserved rest after their super special and before the 920kms to Southern Spain.
12:35 The long road to Granada
After the super special on the beach of Castelldefels on the outskirts of Barcelona with the wins of David Frétigné and Robby Gordon, the competitors face a very long day on the roads of Spain. No racing or navigational difficulties today but hours behind the steering wheel or handle bars of their vehicles.
The day will however start with a podium presentation of every single competitor situated “Plaça de Espanya”. A good opportunity to bid farewell to friends and family and receive a warm cheer from the Catalan fans.
Once off the podium, the Dakar caravan will hit the road to Granada for a 920km journey, almost exclusively via motorway, with a stopover in Castellon for a check point and a well-deserved lunch break. For the third consecutive time, the competitors will ‘shortly’ discover Castellon although this time, unlike the two previous editions, no beach special is planned.
A good two thirds of the liaison will still have to be covered in the afternoon before the first vehicles make it on the Southern point of Spain in Granada.
Although no changes in the overall are obviously possible, the day should prove to be tiring for both man and machine.
Pics in a bit!
Cyril Despres
Ping!
Castelldelfels is a beautiful beach town.. I lved there for two years..70-71..except for the summer months..June-Sept..when hordes of Brit and Grman tourists descended upon it.the palcet was almost deserted the rest of the time..
I would love to see the place. I would love even more to see it at 120+ mph while racing this rally.
ping
Gordon wins Dakar rally fourth stage
January 3, 2005
AGADIR, Morocco (AFP) - American Robby Gordon, driving a Volkswagen, won the 123km timed section of the fourth stage of the Dakar rally.
Gordon timed 1hr 14min 1sec for his second victory of the rally, 53sec ahead of Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel, drving a Mitsubishi, and 1min 8sec in front of Bruno Saby's Volkswagen.
Gordon also took top spot in the overall standings, with a 59sec lead on Peterhansel and 1min 14sec ahead of Saby.
Earlier, fog grounded security helicopters meaning the motorbike timed section was cancelled.
However the fog had lifted by the time the cars and lorries were due to start and the Nissan of Britain's Colin McRae was the first car to drive off from Rabat.
After the timed section, all the competitors, including the motorbikes, still have to complete the 666km stage to Agadir.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.