Stage 7 - Saturday 26 April 2008 | Veszprem- BalatonfĂĽred
- Special 155.0 km
- Connection 11.0 km
- Total 197.0 km
Interviews
David Casteu – KTM - 003
“Since I started in 2005 as an official rider, it’s true that I’ve been runner-up to the world champion in 2005, 2006 and 2007, as well as 2nd in the Dakar, so I’d been looking for this first victory for a while. What’s more, everyone wanted to win this first Dakar Series rally. I focused all my preparation on that, by doing lots of endurance racing, because I knew that the route would be very technical. As a result, I was able to make the difference in Romania on the two very technical specials where I really gave it my all. After that, I managed to control the race, my machine and my physical form, not forgetting the psychological side because it wasn’t easy. Over the last few miles today, I was saying, “stay focused, you’re not there yet! Be careful!” All the more so since I couldn’t see how I was positioned in relation to the others, so you think more about your time than about how you should be riding! But now I’ve done it! I’ve often carried Marc Coma onto the podium and I’ve often told him, “one day it will be you carrying me”. So, I’ve a little thought for him at home today, but I really rode a great race on the bike and I’m absolutely delighted”.
Francisco Lopez – KTM - 010
“I’m delighted with this result because it’s my first podium finish with the new KTM bike. It was very important for me to achieve a good finish, to gain experience for the next Dakar series race in Argentina. I’m especially happy because I didn’t make the slightest mistake during this race, even though the terrain was very technical and therefore very difficult for me, since I had a machine that I wasn’t familiar with and which is really different to ride. It gives me a lot of confidence for the future. I’m also delighted for David (Casteu) who is a friend and someone very important to me, even if we weren’t being friendly on the rally tracks!”
Alain Duclos – KTM - 014
“I’m really delighted with this result, but it’s true that this 3rd-placed finished was a bit unexpected, even if I rode a steady, consistent and solid race. The others made a few mistakes, except for Cyril Despres who had a really astonishing bit of bad luck. But, on the other hand, his misfortune was my chance. In any case, it’s a reward for all the other times when we haven’t been as fortunate. Anyhow, I’m absolutely overjoyed. In any case, this first Dakar Series race has given me the urge to come back because we discovered new horizons and I was really enchanted by them!”
Cyril Despres – KTM - 001
“I ran out of fuel on the last special, which is a bit surprising since we haven’t found any technical problems with the bike. My mechanic put 24 litres in the bike yesterday evening and after 100 km I broke down – it’s all quite unusual, really! As for the rest of it, this rally was set up quickly, so even if there is room for improvement, the organisers deserve a lot of credit. I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting to discover a rally that was so similar to a Baja, but tougher. That said, the outcome is still positive, because it was a very good experience. What’s more, I’m ready and willing for another Dakar Series race, because I believe that David Castera, who planned out the route, will listen to what we have to say for next year”.
Frédéric Lepan – KTM - 076
“I really like this race a lot because I only usually race in the Dakar and this time I discovered something completely different. For a start, there’s a lot less pressure for amateur riders. What’s more, for a first timer, for example, it’s an excellent way to get to grips with the discipline and also to get to know everything which racing involves: road-books, time cards, the pace you need to keep, and so on. Personally, I’ll be taking a lot of memories from this event of things that are unusual for me, like riding in the snow in Romania on a huge rally-raid bike. I’m almost sorry that I didn’t stop to take some photos at times. What’s more, it’s perfect training, because thanks to the repetition of the specials, you can work on your riding and improve with each attempt. I’m really glad I came along”.
Luc Pagnon – KTM - 031
“F*****g hell, it was great! I had a wonderful time, even if you can’t compare it with the Dakar. For me, it was a superb experience and I really enjoyed it. In fact, you’ve got a lot of the advantages of the Dakar, but not the disadvantages, like the fear of not making the cut, which puts constant pressure on amateurs like myself. This means you’ve got the freedom to push yourself and the machine a little bit further, without forgetting that it’s super training for Argentina in 2009. What’s more, I really liked the route, especially the variety of different terrains we had to tackle each day. If the last Dakar hadn’t been cancelled, I don’t think I would have taken part, but in the end, I don’t regret coming along. It also allowed me to discover Hungary and Romania from a different angle. So you can be sure that I’ll be there for the next instalment”.
Hubert Deltrieu – Polaris - 118
“I’m very pleased with this victory even if this last day was very difficult for me because I encountered the only two problems I’ve had during the rally. First the mounting for my GPS broke, and then I got a puncture 5 km from the finish. I had to finish the special with a flat tyre, which was quite stressful, even if I had a comfortable lead. That said, I’ve done it now! This triumph is more than enough proof that we have worked really well with the team, which gives me plenty of confidence for the future, especially the 2009 Dakar. In short, it was a great rally, on a superb terrain and a fine result at the end – what more could I want?”
Carlos Sainz – VW - 201
“This race was extremely difficult for us, especially after we lost a lot of time on the first two stages. After that, we were at 100% for the rest of the race and everything turned out fine. Today, Stephane made a small mistake, but we really attacked from start to finish. Mitsubishi worked well and pushed us all the way in this rally, even if in the end we were the best. In any case, this race was nothing like a normal rally-raid event, but not like the WRC either. It’s much more like a Baja, but much, much longer and therefore much more difficult. It was really hard, but I’m here to race a rally-raid whatever the state of the terrain, even if we have to go into the desert, I’ll go, if we have to go to Argentina, I’ll go, if we have to race in Central Europe I’ll go. You have to be flexible to race in rally-raids!”
Stephane Peterhansel – Mitsubishi - 200
“I think I was too focused today! I was too obsessed by the idea that today was the same special as yesterday but that it had to be driven in 100% attack mode. I remembered that we went through the forest at one time yesterday before heading back onto the main track, so I went into the forest, even with the instructions from my co-pilot who was telling me to go straight ahead. I realised almost instantly that it was a mistake, but it was too late! I ended up doing a small extra loop for nothing which cost me between 45 seconds and 1 minute, and from that moment on, I decided it was better to make sure of 2nd place! It’s still a satisfying result, because we’ve been able to match up to Volkswagen, we know we’ll always have a chance. Also, we managed to wage a superb and really intense battle from start to finish with one of the best rally drivers in the world. Everyone was holding their breath right until the finish. In the end, he won, so well done to him! But personally, I’m still happy with this 2nd-placed finish and I’m proud to have measured up to Sainz on this type of terrain”.
Luc Alphand – Mitsubishi - 202
“We’re especially satisfied to have had a good week and to have managed to reach the finishing line after driving every day at a neck-breaking pace. Of course, we missed out on the results we wanted by a matter of seconds, Stephane and I, against Sainz and Depping, but we’re not angry because we really gave it all we had. We fought as hard as we could, that’s just sport. In any case, we were within touching distance of them and from a sporting point of view I thought it was a really good battle this week. Personally, I’m also satisfied because this terrain was a bit new to me, since my driving style and mentality is a bit more “African”, so I’m happy to have made plenty of progress this week. All in all, it’s good to be racing again after a five month break. We were all very pleased to be here to take part in a fine race”.
Dominique Serieys – Mitsubishi Team manager
“It was a nice way to get back to competing: 7 days, almost 12 hours of racing and the result was only decided on the last special. That’s racing! Anyhow, my crews really raced well and fought their own corner really well against very competitive crews as well as a team which currently boasts better technology than ours at the moment. Luc Alphand and Nani Roma took advantage of this rally to make progress on terrains that they weren’t very familiar with. Our rivals won, so well done to them, you have to be sportsmanlike. We finished in 2nd and 4th place, which is great, because we didn’t think we’d have such a good finish after leading for several days, so it’s a really good result. In terms of the event itself, the constructors stepped up to the plate and made sure a wonderful race was played out for the spectators. Of course, there is room for improvement in the future, but credit has to be given to A.S.O. for the speed with which they organised this race and the way they listened to us throughout the rally, about the climate or the route. It’s very positive”.
Hans Stacey – MAN - 400
“Today, I didn’t really go on the attack, first of all because I’ve had a cold for the last three days, and especially because I had nothing to win by doing that today. In any case, I’m delighted with this victory because we came here with a brand new truck which turned out to be very good over a rally that was very difficult for our category, perhaps the equivalent of what a truck has to tolerate throughout the whole Dakar rally. All in all, I really enjoyed this race and it’s given me a lot of confidence for the 2009 Dakar”.