Euromilhões Lisboa - Dakar 2007 : Dakar

Breaking news

17:54

Henrard leaves hospital

Even though Stéphane Henrard was rushed into hospital yesterday for an emergency operation on a kidney problem, the professional driver has nonetheless decided to take the starter’s orders for his tenth Dakar. Whilst visibly apprehensive about driving in a weakened state, the Belgian declared that he has come to this rally, "to enjoy myself as much as possible". Alongside him, novice Brigitte Bécue is an accomplished sportswoman: she has participated in four Olympic Games and has been European swimming champion several times. The crew hopes to finish in the top ten and take on some of the major teams. This goal is within reach for Stéphane Henrard: in 2001, in a buggy as an amateur for his first participation, he finished 7th before finishing 6th in 2003.

17:46

Dakar in a buggy or bust for Errandonea

Bernard Errandonea has not yet finished the Dakar in a buggy despite three attempts. In 2007, he will again be using the same model of buggy (a prototype) as last year, but the vehicle is completely new this time. "In 2006, I had to drop out of the race in Morocco following a mechanical problem, which was very frustrating. This year I want to finish the rally amongst the first 20 places. I’ve carried out tests and everything was fine. Driving a buggy is nothing like driving a 4x4. In fact, it’s similar to riding a motorbike. I get a lot of pleasure out of it".

16:50

Annie Seel (SWE): "The title of leading lady rider"

She has been waiting five years for this moment… She returns to a Dakar rally which caused her so much suffering on her first participation in 2002. The ‘little princess of the rally’ crossed the finishing line in Dakar in 54th position, as first-placed woman competitor, with a broken hand and a massive bruise on her thigh. "I went through everything in that Dakar. falls, pain, rain and a night in the desert", she confides with a huge smile. Unable to take part in the last few years, Seel has focused on her physical preparation for this new edition: "I took tests in a specialist clinic and they told me I was as fit as an Olympic champion". Will this be enough to land the title of leading lady rider? "It’s obviously one of my goals, but I’ve got lots of respect for Ludivine Puy who will be very difficult to beat".

16:41

Plenty of buggies

The field for the 29th edition stands out in the car category due to the diversity and originality of the vehicles that will be present at the start. Whilst the Mitsubishis might lead the way as always for the number of 4x4s taking part, with 38 cars, ahead of Bowler (31), Toyota (29) and Nissan (28), it is especially the number of two-wheel drive buggies that captures the attention, totalling 24 vehicles.

16:36

André de Azevedo, a sure bet

André de Azevedo, driver of the 4th-placed truck last year, can start this year’s Lisbon-Dakar with legitimate ambitions. But the Brazilian driver is primarily realistic: "There are many serious competitors, especially with the return of the De Rooy family. They can all rely on structures of considerable size. As far as I’m concerned, I only have a support T5 which I’ll be sharing with my brother Jean and Thomas Tomecek". The racing goal of this Tatra driver among three is to finish in the top 5: "I’ve got the experience required", insists the Brazilian.

16:26

Just like 2005 for Syndiely Wade?

In 2005, Syndiely Wade arrived in Dakar for the first time, in 52nd place of the general rankings. The Senegalese President’s daughter still remembers the immense joy she felt and hopes to experience it once again: "It was a fabulous feeling. During the race, it’s easy to lose track of the excitement generated by the Dakar: we are focused on the competition. But when I arrived in the capital, all the happiness and joy of the people along the roadside really hit home".

16:19

Back in Black

A year after causing a sensation by arriving in the scrutineering zone behind the wheel of his Hummer, Robbie Gordon is back in Lisbon with a new machine that is just as impressive… All in black, the latest version of the American vehicle needs to wipe away memories of the previous model whose African adventure was halted after seven stages. "Last year we thought, in vain, that we could play one of the leading roles. As soon as the Dakar finished, we started working toward the next one by clearly identifying our weaknesses", admits the American driver. "We have done thirty days of wind tunnel work and almost 10,000 miles of tests. The engine is better. We have gained more speed, around 20 mph. Our Hummer is ready to eat camel dust". Certainly more cautious than last time, Gordon refrains from speaking of victory or the podium. "Our team only has one shot, unlike the big official teams who have four or five of them. We are aiming to keep pace with our rivals".

14:41

Five solo-drivers behind Gache-designed wheels

Philippe Gache, designer of a single-place buggy with an attractive look and blueprint, made a noticeable arrival at the Belem Cultural Centre car park. "What is reassuring is that the car appears to be very reliable. At any rate, after tests in Tunisia, we haven’t had to change any parts. I’ve also been very pleasantly surprised by the performance level, which is much higher than we expected", declared the driver, stood in front of his black buggy. Five of these vehicles powered by Porsche engines will be running the race, including one driven by former co-pilot Philippe Monnet. Philippe Gache is not hiding his main fear: "I’m a little worried about having to navigate as well as driving flat out. The frustration of having to slow down can be difficult to deal with. Fortunately, I’ve asked for a few hints from my bike-riding friends".

14:30

Portugal looks to the future

Whilst visiting the technical and administrative scrutineering site on Thursday, Sports Minister Pedro Silva Pereira underlined the desire of the Portuguese government to welcome the grand start of the Dakar beyond the currently agreed terms which bind the organisers until at least 2008: "It is in the country’s interest for the Dakar rally to start from Portugal and this will still be the case after next year’s edition", declared Mr. Pereira. "We want to continue our support for this event in the future. You have to understand that others would like to have the Dakar start in their country due to the impact this would have in the media", added Mr. Pereira.

14:00

Schlesser: "Its bite has to be as bad as its bark"

Each year Jean-Louis Schlesser, winner in 1999 and 2000, tries to disturb the peace of the "factory drivers" with his famous blue buggies. A noteworthy feat was the three stage victories achieved in Africa in the 2006 edition. This year, the designer-constructor has once again fine-tuned his vehicle, both technically and aesthetically: "We have been working on it for ten months, especially on the aerodynamics and actuation. I reckon it’s looking good and all the tests carried out have confirmed that it has a high performance level, because its bite has to be as bad as its bark", says Schlesser, who believes he is in top condition physically. The most ardent attacking spirit in the rally is one of the many challengers who will be lining up at the start: "It’s true that there are around fifteen competitors who could climb onto the podium. Everyone starts off with this hope, but plenty of things can happen during the race".

13:11

Discovery time for Yvan Muller

Yvan Muller encountered his first Dakar technical scrutineering shrouded in the Lisbon mist. The newcomer to the rally-raid does not what to put too much pressure on himself. "I’ve taken part in so many different motor sport disciplines that it was about time I came to the Dakar. I’ve been thinking about it for three or four years. However, I’m mainly here to learn, do my job and finish the race", announced the man from Alsace, sitting proudly on the bonnet of his Dessoude team Nissan Proto 05. After the ice in the Andros Trophy and the WTCC circuits, Muller is about have his first taste of sand. In support of this valorous novice, there is nothing quite like the experience and knowledge of the Dakar possessed by his co-pilot René Metge, three-times winner of the rally.

11:49

Nasser Al Attiyah (QAT): "Avoid making the same mistakes"

Still just as smiling and enthusiastic as usual at the prospect of starting a new Dakar (his fourth), Nasser Al Attiyah is particularly optimistic for this 29th edition of the rally. The BMW X-Raid driver is one of the three trump cards in the team run by Sven Quandt. "We have learned a lot from the last Dakar. Progress has been made with the car, it is now more reliable and we will avoid making the same mistakes. I’m aiming for one of the first three places", insists the Qatari. Al Attiyah can also rely on the astute advice of Jutta Kleinschmidt, a new member of the X-Raid team. "I’m really learning plenty of things from her. We talk a lot together and she helps be benefit from her experience on the rally".

11:41

Chicherit is ready like never before

For his third Dakar and second with the BMW X-Raid team, Guerlain Chicherit is impatient to get on the race tracks. Encouraged by his first special stage victory a year ago, the French driver believes he is ready like never before. "Physically, I’m in great form and I’m ready to do the business. We’ve also done plenty of tests with the team and after the experience of 2006, the car’s reliability has improved", insists the 9th-placed finisher of last year’s edition. However, Chicherit refuses to get carried away: "We are a good team, but in what measure? It’s easy to be world champion during testing, but it’s during the race that our performance level needs to shine through". The clear goal for the man from Savoy is to finish in the top 5…

11:26

Jutta Kleinschmidt (GER): "I’m hoping to be on the podium"

For her sixteenth Dakar, queen of the rally-raid Jutta Kleinschmidt will be sporting new colours. After her first Dakar on a bike in 1988, then more noticeable races behind the wheels of a Mitsubishi and a Volkswagen, the German driver was all smiles when she climbed out of the cabin of her new BMW X 3 to start the long haul through scrutineering. "I’m very happy to be a part of this team. There is an excellent atmosphere with Nasser (Al Attiyah) and Guerlain (Chicherit)", admits the winner of the 2001 rally. "The field for the car category is prestigious this year, so to finish in the top 5 would be a good result for me, but I’m really hoping to be on the podium".