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 | OiLibya Tunisia: Roma returns to victory, Novitskiy leader behind Schlesser.
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Heading south west and with a radical change of scenery for the 4th stage of the Oilibya Rally of Tunisia. Very fast tracks and navigation galore, before finishing with a much more technical portion of winding trails in the hills bordering the Bivouac of Ras El Oued. After two days of sand and dunes, the navigation enthusiasts were going to be happy.
In the car category, the battle still rages between the buggy of Jean-Louis Schlesser (Buggy) and the BMW X-Raid team of the Russian Novitsky and Nani Roma is today's winner. In the bike category, the day's special was upset by the heavy fall of Chilean Francisco Lopez (Aprilia 450) six kilometres from the finish.
First rider to pass the finish line in the fourth stage of the Oilibya Rally of Tunisia, is the young Polish Jakub Przygonski (KTM 450), leaving in pole position this morning, he was quite upset upon arrival. He was in the wake of Francisco Lopez (Aprilia 450 No 1) and he saw the Chilean fall heavily.
Within moments, he triggered the alarm, Portugal's Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha 450 No. 3), then the Spaniard Jordi Viladoms (Yamaha 450 No 4) arrived at the scene, the Polish prodigy then got back on his bike in order to inform the arrival station, while the other two riders remained with "Chaleco" pending the arrival of the medical helicopter.
In these circumstances it seems clear that the sporting interest of the 4th stage passes quickly into the background. Very quickly transported by helicopter to the medical unit of the bivouac, the Chilean pilot, conscious but suffering from a fractured leg and hand, and a thoracic trauma was immediately transferred by helicopter to a hospital in Djerba La Douce for further tests...
Enduro Cup: Roux learns quickly
In these difficult circumstances, we will concentrate on the Enduro Cup which has, meanwhile, celebrated its third different winner of the stage in as many days. Indeed the Frenchman Thierry Roux (KTM), on his first African rally, signing the fastest time of the day in front of Xavier Moreau (KTM No. 251) and Tobias Younger (KTM). Fourth: Thomas Bourgin (Husaberg) retains the overall lead ahead of Italy's Mossi (KTM). Congratulations to the Bulgarian duo consisting of Zomitsa Todorova (KTM) and Todor Hristov (CAN-AM) doing very well and always enjoying every moment.
Quad: The Pavlov reflex
Always in the quad category, but in the FIM rankings, the Russian Dmitry Pavlov (Honda) seems equally at home in the sand and on the fast and technical tracks. Signing his third stage victory in a row, despite the attempts of the Tunisian Karim Dilou (Yamaha), back in shape after a medical problem three days ago, followed by the Italian Norbert Cangani (Polaris).
Cars: Roma wins the scratch but Novitskiy remains overall ranking
Three cars arrived, in the precise order of departure, beware of appearances: In pole position and first arrived at Ras El Oued was Jean-Louis Schlesser and Konstantin Zhiltsov (Buggy Schlesser) who concede more than a minute and a half to the Russian Leonid Novitsky (BMW X3 CC). The duo Roma / Perin (BMW X3 CC), are nevertheless the winners of the day's special, comforting for the Hispano-French duo after their difficult stage yesterday.
As for Jean-Louis Schlesser, now second overall at just over a minute. He will have to take his departure order (3rd) in tomorrow's stage. In the wake of the leaders, Italy's Roberto Tonetti and Fabian Lurquin (Nissan Pathfinder) also made a comeback after "drowning" in the dunes of Ksar Ghilane. The Italian and Belgian duo beats the Czechs Zapletal / Ourednicek (BMW X3 CC), Boris Garafulic (BMW X3 CC), is definitely feeling more comfortable at the wheel of his new BMW.
Trucks: Elsiabete Jacinto is having fun
Eighth in the combined classification car / truck, of the day is the Portuguese Elisabete Jacinto, accompanied by Charly Gotlib and Marco Cochinho (MAN TGS). An excellent test in terms of steering and suspension settings for the Lusitanian, unbeaten on African soil since last year.
Wildcat Trophy: Guillot did well
Ninth passed the finishing line, Christophe Guillot and Jean-Pierre Garcin were nevertheless the first QT Wildcat and therefore first victory in a special of the Wildcat Trophy. Michel Visy and Sébastien Delaunay, are still leading the overall trophy in front of Gaetan Ge and Annie Gauvineau. As for Eugenie Decré and Patrick Antoniolli, they got the 3rd time of the day, despite a puncture on the right rear tire. A small consolation after their 48-hour penalty, following engine trouble yesterday.
2011/05/04 | 21:10 CET | ARTICLE: MR/SY/NPO
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