Motorcycles and news

The calm that Stéphane Peterhansel portrays, when he crosses the finish of this 6th stage of this Optic 2000 Tunisia rally, hides perhaps a feeling of deep accomplishment. Starting this loop of 276 km behind his two closest rivals, the current leader of this rally knew that catching and overtaking thes two “hares” he would achieve a worthwhile comfort zone. Literally flying over the small dunes that made up the first part of the day’s special, “Peter” won the initiative and took control of the race, at his whim. Terribly missing traction over this terrain Jean-Louis Schlesser (Buggy Ford) was the first to let him go, conceding painfully a little more 7min 30′ to the Factory Pajero. Giniel De Villiers had to slacken the pace aswell, losing a little more than two minutes. And if, especially where Stéphane Peterhansel concerned, nothing is decided before the bell rings. Everything points to a third win of the Optic 2000 Tunisia rally, for the was once motorbike champion, tomorrow at Djerba. Behind the three leaders, is Krzysztof Holowczyc (Nissan Pickup Dessoude), who is bettering his performances every day. Friday there was Sainz, Saturday Alphand and today it was Hiroshi Masuoka (Mitsubishi Pajero) who became the third official frontline driver to suffer,( thankfully not crashing) having had his differential take early retirement, evidently with the pace of the front men, the rally’s taken it’s toll. The Mitsubishi driver then tried to reach the finish in enough time to keep his place. All this gave the Polish and European rally champion the fourth place in the overall placings, with this being only his third African rally. Just behind him, the Russian Shmakov (Buggy Honda) came in front of the Buggy SMG of Philippe Gache to notch up the fifth place of the day. The other battle of the day, between Isabelle Patissier (Buggy Mitsubishi) and the charming Madalena Antas (Nissan Pickup Promotech), for a place in the top 10. It’s the Climbing champion Isabelle who came out better on this Ksar Ghilaine loop, to take the ninth place in front of Madalena who had powered steering problems on the first part of the loop. Christian Lavieille (Nissan Pathfinder) assured once again his lead in the T2 by winning his category and grabbing a ninth place in the scratch just behind the Nissan Pickup of the Hungarian Palik.

At the end of another bikers outing at three, Isidre Esteve (KTM Gauloises) decided to wait, in sight of the finish, to offer this stages victory to his team mate Casteu. A rose with thorns, because this gives the Spaniard an advantage by not opening the way, on this last stage tomorrow, finishing at Djerba. Trailing only by one minute behind Casteu, he will leave only two minutes after his team mate, and just catching him up will be enough to give him the top place. 4th behind Ullevalseter (KTM 660) was the Polish Jacek Czachor (KTM 450), who managed the exploit of the day after having repaired his carburettor in the night and snatched back 11″30′ off the Italien Polli (KTM 450) and takes back the lead in this category.

Jean-Louis Schlesser (Fra/Buggy Ford) :
The facts are simple. When we gain 20km/h over the 4×4 on the quick sections, at 200km/h we gain 10% in time. When the 4×4 gain 20km/h in the broken terrain, when we’re already at 40km/h, they gain 55% in time. Do your sums and you’ll understand why, on this terrain I can’t keep with them..

David Casteu (Nor/KTM Gauloises) :
“I’m happy with my ride today, I feel that my navigation just keeps on getting better. I know Isidre stopped, just before the finish. I can’t blame him. He has already won rallies and wants to win another. From the start I’ve come here to gain experience and enjoy myself, I refuse to start calculating.

Isidre Esteve (S/KTM Gauloises) :
After what happened to me yesterday when I’d started first, I didn’t want to take the same risk. That is why I slowed to let David take the stage win. I nearly made a mistake, because I’ve realised that it was close by two seconds.

Optic 2000 - stage results 4 - 6 (17.04.2006)

4th stage EL BORMA / EL BORMA
Special Stage 268 Km

1. I.ESTEVE PUJOL KTM 3h14′08″000  
2. D.CASTEU KTM 3h16′12″000 + 02′04″00  
3. P-A.ULLEVALSETE KTM 3h18′26″000 + 04′18″00  
4. L.LAZARD KTM 3h28′26″000 + 14′18″00   
5. O.POLLI KTM 3h29′29″000 + 15′21″00  
6. M.VAYSSIE Yamaha 3h36′10″000 + 22′02″00 
7. C.PORTAL KTM 3h37′21″000 + 23′13″00  
8. N.KRONSEDER KTM 3h38′13″000 + 24′05″00 
9. C.DECLERCK Yamaha 3h41′30″000 + 27′22″00 
10. M.BUTUZA  KTM 3h42′11″000 + 28′03″00 
11. J.CZACHOR  KTM 3h43′55″000 + 29′47″00

5th stage EL BORMA / KSAR GHILANE
Special Stage 298 Km

1. P-A.ULLEVALSETE KTM 3h04′39″000 
2. D.CASTEU KTM 3h06′33″000 + 01′54″00 
3. I.ESTEVE PUJOL KTM 3h08′32″000 + 03′53″00  
4. C.PORTAL KTM 3h24′04″000 + 19′25″00   
5. M.VAYSSIE Yamaha 3h26′17″000 + 21′38″00 
6. J.CZACHOR KTM 3h26′18″000 + 21′39″00   
7. O.POLLI KTM 3h28′00″000 + 23′21″00  
8. L.LAZARD KTM 3h30′08″000 + 25′29″00  
9. G.TIXADOR KTM 3h43′10″000 + 38′31″00   
10. M.SANNA COCCO KTM 3h44′01″000 + 39′22″00