Zoom Cyril Despres.

Cyril Despres today gets the stage victory at the Pharaons Rally. The french pilot, that has by now 17 advantage minutes on Luca Manca, is preparing himself to his first triumph in the egyptian land tomorrow at Cairo. Among the cars Pelichet/Decré win the stage and surpass in the Overall Tonetti/Tonetti, hanged back because of a cover-up during the final part of the trial. Nullified stage at CP5 (Km 287th) due to an accident at an assistance transport of the egyptian crew El Syrgany/Besancon.

An helicopter landed on the road between Baharija and Sitra, the Organization's doctors rushing: an image that don't let us think nothing good . After passed the all night working on a race car, a pick-up of the egyptian crew assistance El Syrgany/Besancon left the road while was travelling to Sitra.Between the people involved, one died, while the others two have been carried to Cairo. Because of the gravity of the accident, the Organization, according to FIA Jury , had immediatly dedided to concentrate the health service on the accident place and to stop the stage at CP5 after 287 round's kilometres.

Started seventh this morning, Cyril Despres attained to reach the top trio formed by Lopez, Manca and Przygonski, just after Km 201 at CP2, winning his fourth Pharaons 2009 stage, with an advantage of almost six minutes on the polish Przygonski. Third stage place for Paolo Ceci, detached of 7'50” from the winner. Luca Manca, fourth, preceded Jaceck Czachor and Francisco Lopez, winner of yesterday.

With Despres firmly in command and Manca tight on second position at 17 minutes behind the french, the fight for the third podium step is really unsure: Paolo Ceci has been surpassed by Jakub Przygonski and is back of one minute, but tomorrow will start two minute behind the polish and will do everything to reach him.

Among the cars the Overall top changes: in command passed Jerome Pelichet and Eugenie Decré, winners of the today's stage with 29 minutes of advantage on Roberto and Nicola Tonetti: father and son shelved during the final part of the stage, after were been on the same times of the opponents for the all day. Now the French/Swiss duo command with 4'19” of advantage on the two italians.

Third in the today's stage Mido Abouyoussef and Mahamoud Wahid Aly. They are the today's best egyptian crew and preceded twins Aldo and Dario De Lorenzo and the Saudi Al Muhna/Alsanad, both fourth with the same time. Eighth in this stage, Michel Visy and Philippe Bouquin that stay firmly on the third step of thew podium.

Tomorrow is the last stage of Pharaons 2009. A 300 Km special stage will be the last effort for the pilots before the finishing point at Giza's Pyramids that will decree the winners of the twelfth edition of Pharaons International Cross Country Rally.

© CAPSIS International