06 January 2003 - 15:26 Sweet revenge for Masuoka, Despres and De Rooy Junior Dakar 2003 : Stage 3 - 10 km

Two days from the first kilometres in Africa, Spain and Castellon was the scene of the last European special with Cyril Despres claiming victory on his KTM while his Gauloise partner Richard Sainct kept his overall leadership. A few minutes later, Mitsubishi proved that they were the big favourites on four wheels with Masuoka winning his first special of the rally in front of team mate Stephane Peterhansel. In the truck category, the battle continued between De Rooy father and son but this time it was Gerardus' turn to beat veteran Jan.

After France and Narbonne, time had come for the Dakar show to move to Spain. And already a touch of Africa with a warm sunshine and the first sand tracks on the ‘Playa del Pinar'. Ideal conditions for Frenchman Cyril Despres to make the best use of his lighter KTM 700cc (n.7). In a time of 6min30s, the prologue winner beat surprising Dutch privateer Eric Verhoef (KTM – n.29) by 2 seconds and local hero Marc Coma (KTM – n.10).

" It's still a show. These three stages were to gain in confidence. I don't know what it'll be like on longer stages”, insisted Despres who injured his shoulder a mounth ago.

His Gauloise team mate Richard Sainct (KTM – n.3) remained on top of the overall leaderboard, despite a third place on the day, with a 10sec lead on Alfie Cox (KTM – n.2).

“The first contact with the sand was enjoyable. So enjoyable that I almost kissed it when I nearly fell”, admitted Sainct with a big smile on the face.

Cox as usual gave everything on the 8km course insisting that every second had its importance to stay with the leaders for the upcoming desert stages while last year's Dakar winner Fabrizio Meoni (KTM – n.1) certainly wasn't worried about the loss of 48 seconds on the special. On his heavy twin-cylinder KTM, the Italian knows that the race really starts on the other side of the sea.

In the car race, this third special was a repeat of the previous days with the battle between the Japanese brands going Mitsubishi's way as 2002 winner Hiroshi Masuoka set the fastest time in 6min42s. On his Pajero Evo, Masuoka beat team mate Stephane Peterhansel by 5 seconds. The Frenchman remains however in front in the overall with a 29 second advantage on the Japanese pilot. The good surprise of the day came from Stephane Henrard (Volkswagen n.215) proving that his 2 wheel drive ‘Tarek' could do well on this rally. On the same vehicle, things went slightly better for Jutta Kleinschmitt (VW – n.203) however finishing 40 seconds behind Henrard and 11 minutes adrift in the overall.

“I'm really happy. It's the first special I finish without the slightest mechanical problem,” admitted the German.

Kenjiro Shinozuka (Nissan – n.201) was the fastest of the Nissan official vehicles, finishing in fourth spot and leaving aside the bad memories he had left in Spain a few years ago.

“In 2000, we had the same stage and it wasn't good for me. Just before the finish I went wide off the track. We stopped for nearly 20 minutes here. And I still had that in mind. So I went carefully today”.

After the cars, the trucks took to the sandy course with Johannes De Rooy (DAF – n.409) storming through the 8kms of the circuit. In a final time of 8min36s, the 1987 winner of the rally had to settle with 2nd spot behind Gerardus ‘Junior' De Rooy (DAF - n.414). After the Corbieres special on Thursday, it was the son's turn to grab victory over the father.

“It was very good. The sand was perfect. I had a great time today. I only want to finish in Sharm El Sheikh and my dad will go for the podium but not me, definitely not. I really don't care if I'm first or 50th."

With De Rooy in impressive form and Tchaguine and Loprais (third and fourth of the special) back in business, the truck category will without doubt be one of the most interesting ever. Time now for the competitors to take a well deserved rest during the boat crossing that takes them to Tunisia before the serious stuff starts on Sunday.

raid-live.com, 03/01/03