06 January 2003 - 15:30 Roma wins, Peterhansel confirms... Dakar 2003 : Stage 4 - 25 km

In the first African stage of the Telefonica Dakar rally, Isidre Esteve Pujol took advantage of a late start to clock the best time of the bike special. Stephane Peterhansel increased his leadership overall thanks to another victory on the day. The Frenchman now leads over South Africa's Giniel De Villiers in the overall. in the truck race, De Rooy carries on his impressive start.

After the 36 hour cruise taking the competitors from Spain to Tunisia, time had come for serious business to start after a well deserved rest. According to all, the rally was to really start with this stage 4. Maybe not completely on today's very short 25km special. In the bike category, Isidre Esteve Pujol (KTM - n.8) made the best of his 29th position on the start line of the special due to the place he took in Castellon, to clock the fastest time of the day. In a time of 19 minutes, the Spaniard beat his compatriot Nani Roma (KTM - n.4) on the same heavy 950cc twin-cylinder KTM by 42 seconds.

"The track was very slow and slippery" insisted Roma. "It wasn't easy with my heavy twin-cylinder bike."

Third place went to the surprising Jean De Azevedo (KTM - n.25) of Brazil who finished 58seconds adrift. A position that will make the history books of Brazil as the best place ever for a Brazilian competitor in the Dakar. Richard Sainct (KTM - n.3) finished fourth but remained top of the bike overall with a 22 second lead on French compatriot Cyril Despres (KTM - n.7), fifth today.

Alfie Cox (KTM - n.2) took a disappointing 16th spot, losing 2 minutes on the day's winner and moving down to fourth overall. "I hadn't realised it was such a sh... time," admitted the South African.

Race favourite and last year's race winner Fabrizio Meoni (KTM - n.1) finished sixth, 1min20s adrift but had his excuses. "There was a lot of dust. I had to overtake a rider and then I stayed behind he following one. I hope my real 'sport' starts tomorrow."
Stage 4 was also the scene of the first injury as Spaniard Garcia Mochales (Honda - n.129) suffered a double arm fracture and was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Tunis.

On four wheels, Stephane Peterhansel (n.206) confirmed the excellent form of his Mitsubishi Pajero Evo winning his second special of the rally in a final time of 18min26s, 22 seconds ahead of Belgium's Gregoire de Mevius (BMW - n.205).

"We attacked quite a lot and therefore made mistakes. The serious stuff starts tomorrow."

Finland's Ari Vatanen clocked the third time of the day despite 'visibility' problems: "It was my first special with a pair of glasses so I have an excuse for the next two specials."

Last year's winner Hiroshi Masuoka (Mitsubishi - n.200) finished 7th, 56sec off the pace and lost his second spot in the overall behind 'Peter' to South Africa's Giniel De Villiers (Nisan - n.217) who is now 1min23s behind the 6 time bike rally winner. The bad news of the day was for Germany's Jutta Kleinschmitt (Volkswagen -n.203) who suffered a puncture after only 3kms, driving the last 22kms of the special on three wheels.

"I tried to change the wheel but we had problems. I decided to carry on until the end rather than losing 10 minutes. It's my 13th Dakar and it looks to be an unlucky number."

The 2001 race winner is currently 37th overall almost 15minutes adrift. Bad news equally struck Dakar veteran Rene Metge (Mercedes - n.226) who had exhaust pipe worries while Christophe Tinseau (Protruck - n.254) had to go back to Tunis to repair his vehicle and is considered as having not started the stage.

In the truck race, Johannes De Rooy (DAT n.409) confirmed his excellent performances in Europe with the best time of the day in 23min26s. The Dutchman beat one of his main rivals Vladimir Tchaguine (Kamaz - n.407) for overall victory, by 22 seconds. Third place went to Kabirov (n.412) on the other Kamaz truck. In the truck overall, De Rooy father remains ahead of his son Gerardus (DAF - n.414) by 2min05.

raid-live.com, 05/01/03