Zoom

Cyril Neveu had forewarned us, the Libyan part of the Rallye de Tunisie would be decisive in the determination of the winners for the 2008 edition. Before starting tomorrows loop in the Ourabi erg, the competitors experienced a very varied “special”, offering some fast tracks, and an impressive variety of landscapes. The tracks opened the way for the speed freaks, interrupted by a string of sand dunes leading to the splendid Idri oasis in the south western part of the country.

Schlesser's buggy piloted by Dominique Housieaux lead the way effectively winning his first leg, followed by the Argentinean Orlando Terranova (BMW X3), who stands in first position in the overall car ranking. In the motorbike category, a brilliant victory for Thierry ‘Boom Boom' Bethys (Honda 450), interrupting Michel Marchini's string of victories, and gaining a third position in the overall classifications.

Oh, Madalena !
its obvious as the rally progresses, the list of withdraws gets longer day by day. Amongst today's unfortunate competitors, handicapped pilot Christophe Martin (Suzuki 400 LTZ), who was doing so well fell fowl of a mechanical problem. Followed by the Portuguese princess Madalena Antas, who hurt her knee jumping off her assistance truck last night at the bivouac in Al Qaryat.

Lavieille stuck on top
Another misadventure hit French champion Christian Lavieille, twenty kilometres from the finish line he stuck his proto Dessoudre on the top of a ridge. Upset at himself for such a futile loss of time ( he lost 20 minutes in the process) the ex enduro motorbike champion stayed calm on arrival.

Intifada for Holowczyc !
The polish pilot Krzysztof Holowczyc left first this morning but soon found himself repairing a leaking radiator. Loosing a full forty minutes, the story emerged upon arrival: in his haste Dominique Housieux's Schlesser Buggy whilst overtaking his competitor, involuntarily sent stones flying into the red pickup. Hitting the windscreen and the radiator, the damage was sufficient to need immediate repair.

Ludivine has found her rhythm
On such a massive KTM 690, Ludivine Puy the only competing female in the bike category and European enduro champion needed time to find her mark. She made the most of this leg finishing seventh, putting her in a comfortable twelfth in the overall motorbike classification.

Errandonea Stuck in gear
No luck for Benat errandonea, who left third this morning, the Basque pilot in his SMG Buggy, stuck in third gear for three quarters of the leg had to keep his speed to a low 140 km/hour. Nevertheless he made fourth time of the day, thus climbing to overall fifth position.

Press Release NPO