Dakar '07 - the story so far!
By TMX Archives on 18th Jan 07
Stage Five: WITH 775kms, including 325kms against the clock, ahead of them, the fifth stage of the 2007 Dakar Rallye between Quarzazate and Tan Tan, provided a completely new route through the Moroccan Atlas Mountains. A moonscape on very winding tracks awaited the riders at the start of the special stage, before a smoother portion with some fords towards the end.
Isidre Esteve took his first stage win of this year's Dakar Rally, winning the stage on his Gauloises KTM.
Esteve gained a minute and 54 seconds on Marc Coma, the Repsol KTM rider content to ride with Esteve during the day's stage and maintained his overall lead in the rally by almost 10 minutes on Esteve.
Third place today went to Esteve's team leader, Cyril Despres. The Frenchman's efforts moved him past Red Bull KTM's Chris Blais and into fourth in the overall standings.
Mick Extance continued as leading Brit finishing in 32nd spot on the day which moved him up a place to 39th overall. Stephen Malone, Colin Askey and incredibly, 65-year-old Robbie Allan continue to impress and all finished. Allan had been riding with Dickinson until Dickinson's demise.
Brits David Dickinson and Ian Myers were amongst the non-finishers during the hard stage.
For full report, results and pictures see T+MX NEWS, Friday, January 19, 2006