Despres celebrates his return to Pharaons Rally
By TMX Archives on 12th Oct 09
Red Bull KTM factory rider Cyril Despres of Andorra celebrated his return to the Pharaons Rally with an overall victory on Sunday, leading in a trio of KTM riders at the conclusion of the seven stage event. It was Cyril's first appearance at the Pharaons Rally in five years and gave theFrench-born rider a chance to hone his rally skills over a course that waslargely challenging desert dunes.
Back in the groove
Despresstarted cautiously in the opening stage - in his words - to "get back into thegroove" but also to secure himself a good starting position for the second day.His tactics paid off and he came home 13 minutes ahead Chilean ‘Chaleco' Lopezon day two and was then lying in second place. Stage three sent riders straightinto the dunes and Cyril opened the piste and rode alone for the entire stage tocapture the day's glory and the overall lead. On what he described as a"magnificent day" Despres then had an 11'10 lead going into Stage Four. After amass start, Cyril rode most of the day and the 230 km stretch with Poland'sJakub Przygonski to win the stage and extend his lead.
Challengingdunes
Stage five tested the riders with difficult navigation and Despresfinished back in seventh place after getting stuck on the crest of a dune about60km from the end to trim back his overall lead. Cyril was back in form forstage six and crossed the line first however the stage was eventually scrappedfollowing an accident of an assistance vehicle.
Overall victoryafter eventful first day
On the final day Despres emerged the overallwinner ahead of Italian Luca Manca and Poland's Jakub Przygonski both onboardKTM machines but it was not all plain sailing. Cyril Despres: "I was firstinto refueling and must have taken on some bad petrol because 50 kilometresfurther on the bike's engine started to run rough. From there on I was obligedto ride at a maximum of 100 kph and keep my finger crossed all the way to thefinish line.
Overall it was an excellent rally and I am delighted toadd it to my tally. The route was varied, the navigation interesting and I feltgreat on the bike, so all in all I am very satisfied." Despres now returnsto Andorra to prepare for the Morocco Rally (October 24-30)
ResultsOpen Class
1. Cyril Despres, Andorra, KTM 690
2. Luca Manca, Italy,KTM 660 Rally at 06:40
3. Jakub Przygonski, Poland, KTM 690 at 21:11