Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

RALLY who would have his day in the sun just By Geoff Meyer 24 DAKAR, AFRICA, JAN. 4-19 ike a Roman soldier thrusting his sword into a weak, starving nomad, Stephane Peterhansel took - ' - no prisoners on his way to winning 'his fifth Dakar Rally. In fact, SO great was his victory that other riders are finally calling the Yamaha rider unbeatable. Peterhansel started his quest for the record-setting fifth win (Cyril Neveu had won five in the 1980s) on an unusually cloudy day in Dakar on January 4, but it was the days that followed that proved once and for all the Yamahamounted champion is the greatest rally rider of all time. From day one, the KTM factory competition had sent out their soldiers - six factory riders and a handful of backups but as it tumed out, all were set to follow the rocket-like blue machine of Peterhansel to Agages (the halfway point). It was a chase that would leave many riders like former world motocross champions Danny LaPorte, Heinz KinigadnE!l", Jordi ArcaIons, Thierry Magnaldi and Fabrio Meoni bruised and broken. After one day's action, Peterhansel had taken a two-minute, 23-second lead over second-place Richard Sainct, on a KTM, while LaPorte lay in fifth place some 13 minutes, 27 seconds behind. Another American, KTM rider Jimmy Lewis, was also fighting a losing race with the leader. "Man, they are riding fast," Lewis said. "He has the bike, but still it's a long way to go. My guess is he's hoping for a big lead, then he'll back off." The 28-year-old Californian was spot on with his thinking. As hours turned into days, Peterhansel clocked up times never before seen in the Dakar. It was pure brilliance, still the field did not give up. After a few days, Peterhansel did back off somewhat, but his charge had taken out several of the other riders. Sainct was gone on day two; also out was the British CCM rider Nicholas Craigie, his machine calling a halt to his challenge. LaPorte soon followed, out with a broken shoulder on day four. "Man, I was wide open on the throttle every day," LaPorte said. '1t was the fastest Dakar I've ever done. I hit a bump, just like I'd been hitting all day, and it just kicked me off the bike." LaPorte was spotted by a fellow competitor lying by the track with his arms crossed over his body. "Help, I've hurt my shoulder," the American called out. His Dakar was over. Kinigadner also was out on day four, his injuries from a crash in the 1996 Australian Safari retuming to haunt him. "I am in a lot of pain," he said. ''1' d hoped it would go away, but the pain in my back is unbearable. I'll have to stop." Next to have problems was another KTM factory rider, Thierry Magnaldi. The 35-year-old veteran showed some brilliant times early in the rally with two stage wins, but his hard charging had blown his motor to bits. He changed the motor; but his luck would not continue in the second week. three days after the rest day in Agades. But first there was work to be done on his bike and some rest needed for his body. . Arcarons, in second place, led the KTM challenge with a long list of KTMs in the top 20. The second week of the rally proved anything but easy for the riders as several major names found the course taking its toll. KTM rider Magnaldi claimed another win, just after the rest day, but followed that with blowing his second motor and retiring on day 11. The same day saw the Le Touquetlike start procedure, with Arcarons leading Peterhansel to a super-fast win, but Peterhansel was not about to star! worrying. "The speeds I could do on my Yamaha today were very dangerous," the confident leader said. "I just followed Jordi and did nothing silly." While Arcarons was basking in the glory of a win, Ireland's Vinnie Fitzsi· mon, aboard a CCM, retired hi~ machine just 10 miles into the stage; hi~ rally was over. "I had a good run, you can not com· plain," Fitzsirnon said. "I've had a good time and will be back, for sure." The Dublin builder had crashed the previou~ (Left) Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel and his very trick Yamaha completely outclassed his competitors at the Dakar Rally. He easily scored his fifth Dakar win. (Below) American Jimmy Lewis, riding a 620 KTM, finished fourth overall, his ride highlighted by a stage win late In the event. . "We must push Peterhansel to his limit," Magnaldi said at the start of the rally. "Then a KTM rider will hopefully be on top." Unfortunately, Peterhansel had the same plan and his was working. The chasers still hounded Peterhansel. Jordi Arcarons, a four-time runner-up in the Dakar, was soon in second place, his fighting spirit a match for Peterhansel, but as Arcarons said, it was not the spirit that was the problem. "It seems to me that only a Yamaha can win this rally/' he noted. "That bike Peterhansel is riding shol1ld be worth around $40,000, but I have heard it is worth a lot more. By the Dakar rules, it is very much illegal." While Arcarons crashed out soon after winning a stage, it was obvious he was not a happy man. As the field entered Agades, Peterhansel had worked to an hour and a half lead over Arcarons, while Lewis fought on in fourth place. "One day at a time, that's the best way to work on this rally," said Lewis,

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