This third stage of the Oilibia rally of Morocco, linking Erfoud to Zagora, was indeed full of surprises. In the car category the best performance of the day came down to Vigouroux and Winocq in their Trophy Truck n°308, winners of the special just ahead of the Brazilian team: Spinelli and Haddad (Mitsubishi n°309). In the bike category to days special was won by Paulo Goncalves (Husqvarna 450 n°5), 3 seconds ahead of Helder Rodrigues (Honda CRF 450 Rally n°3) and a whole 2'50'' ahead of Chaleco Lopez (KTM), Marc Coma (KTM 450 Factory n°1, was unfortunately obliged to withdraw following a fall at km 87
Sam Sunderland is doing really well a superb performance for the young Brit (Honda CRF 450 Rally No. 17) who seems at ease in the navigation department; let’s hope he can keep it up! What about the amazing Alex Botturi (KTM 450 No 10). With his imposing frame, the former Italian (national team) rugby player, is in a very impressive 7th place and is doing better a little more each day.
One of the great stories of this stage of the OilLibia Rally of Morocco is that of Bruno Da Costa (Yamaha 450 No. 19) and Harite Gabari (Yamaha 450 No. 14). The French biker who was critically injured in the last Dakar today rescued the most famous Moroccan biker who had been literally betrayed by his navigational instruments. In the purest spirit of the rally, Bruno served as a guide almost throughout the 300 kilometres of special, great stuff.
Quads: hectic day! The leader, Russian Dmitry Pavlov (Honda No 270), fell and unfortunately suffered a broken leg and was forced to retire from the race. Vincent Albira (Honda No. 200) signed todays scratch, just ahead of the Enduro Cup bikers : Frédéric Alard (Honda No. 273) and Pascal Delesque (Honda No. 271). The latter, plagued by rear suspension problems, but he can count on the help of the Albira team. That’s what the OiLibya Rally of Morocco is all about!
Piboules Racing team boss Philippe Dasse (KTM 450 No. 254) has several Enduro Cup bikes in the OiLibya Rally of Morocco, and is leading by example. His best student is, of course, Joel Vidal (KTM 450 No. 250), winner of the category here last year. As for the Marc De Vos (KTM 450 No. 255), also a member of the friendly team, well he signs the third fastest time of the day.
Helder Rodrigues(Por / Honda CRF450 Rally No 3): “I finished, Marc didn’t…. that racing! It’s a difficult day for all of us. I stopped when I saw what happened to Marc Coma and stayed with him until another competitor took the relay, it was difficult mentally after that. The special itself was a good one, happy to have made it through”Paulo Gonsales(Por. Husquvarna Rallye Team by speedbrain, No 5): “Fast and quick stage with a lot of tracks and undulations all the way.”Joan Barreda(Spa, Husqvarna rallye Team by speedbrain, No 8): “I was pushing in the first stage of the special; I arrived at Marc’s side and stopped to see how he was doing. The stage itself was very varied ”.David Casteu(Fra. Team Casteu, No 30): “I got to Marc not too far from the start. I guess it must have been an awkward accident; he must have been looking at the roadbook at the wrong moment. The special was a fantastic one, in the pure tradition of African Rally the kind the participants in the Dakar must miss being in South America. I’ve been working on this bike for ages and we feel in complete Harmony!”Hendrikus Knuiman(Hol. Knuiman, No 18): “It was a nice special, not so much navigation, I followed some tracks at the start, had to slow down for some obstacles, the most difficult part was the last bit as it was quite stony. I’ve been a bit unlucky so far broke a cable leading to the cap on the first day, yesterday it was a broken engine 50 meters after the start, but things are getting better, soon the Dakar awaits !”Joel Vidal (KTM 450 No. 250): "After winning the Enduro Cup here in Morocco last year, I did a lot of races in France. What a great day, very fast and beautiful landscapes, I got lost for 15 mns, but nothing too bad. Great race, having a great time here on the rally.” But the atmosphere in the OiLibya Rally of Morocco and within our team is amazing ... "Alexis Marichez(Fra, Piboules racing, No 27) : » I left in 51st position because of stoppage time that had still not been neutralised this morning, so I had a lot of catching up to do and a lot of dust to eat. Navigation was fine, the bike is performing, and I am better this year than last year as the experience is settling in. A big shout to my son GASTON who is six today: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON !!!”Cyril Despres (Fra / KTM 450 # 2): " I had a bad feeling. I, was told Marc had fallen and was injured. I really went as fast as possible the second half of the special ... "Harite Gabari (Mar / Yamaha 450 No. 14): "I would like to thank Bruno Da Costa who guided me throughout the stage as my roadbook was broken. Without him, I could never have reached the finish. I followed him the whole way great sportsmanship! 'Pascal Delesque(Honda No. 271): "Yesterday I took the quad to the car wash, so the mechanics did not see the leak on the rear suspension. This morning, my machine was moving in all directions, as if I had square wheels. Finally, it was’nt as bad on the track. Fortunately, I can count on the help of Team Albira to give me a hand ... it's really nice of them! ' Communication NPO - www.npo.fr -