/ 7 January 2004

Japan surges into Dakar lead

Two-time defending champion Hiroshi Masuoka of Japan surged into the lead in the 2004 Dakar Rally after winning the sixth stage, a 351km special from Ouarzazate to Tan-Tan on Tuesday.

Masuoka — recording his 22nd career stage win in the race — leapt ahead of fellow Mitsubishi driver Stephane Peterhansel of France, who suffered a puncture during the stage and trails the Japanese master by six minutes and 40 seconds in the overall standings.

The Japanese driver timed three hours, nine minutes and 40 seconds to come in two minutes and 57 seconds ahead of South African Giniel de Villiers in a Nissan, with Scotland’s 1995 world rally champion Colin McRae third at 5:41 to continue his impressive Dakar debut.

”I knew that Monday’s and today’s [Tuesday] stages would be decisive,” said Masuoka. ”I was satisfied with my performance in Monday’s stage to Ouarzazate and it was great to win my first special of this year’s renewal today.

”I have a small advantage at the moment, but that means little at this stage of the race.”

Peterhansel’s lead was eaten away by a five-minute penalty on Monday when teammate Andrea Mayer pushed his car near the end of the fifth stage and was compounded by a puncture which put him six minutes and 40 seconds behind the Japanese driver.

McRae completed a good day when race officials overturned a seven minutes and 30 seconds time penalty imposed on him for speeding in Sunday’s fourth stage.

The decision — made after judges studied data from his Nissan’s on-board navigation system — meant he moved up from sixth to third overall and is now lying 15:41 behind Masuoka.

Nani Roma won the motobike category, crossing the line 2:25 ahead of fellow Spaniard and KTM rider Isidre Esteve Pujol with Australian three-time Safari Rally winner Andy Caldecott third-fastest on a KTM at 3:41.

Esteve Pujol holds the overall lead 1:54 ahead of Roma.

”It was a tricky stage with the dust and the sun. A stage where I had to be careful not to damage the bike,” said Roma. ”Tomorrow the race really starts. Isidre Esteve is not a surprise because he is very experienced and fast.”

Esteve Pujol was ruing his missed chance to open the gap.

”I really was unlucky,” said the Spaniard. ”It’s too bad because I had the possibility to extend the gap in the overall. The important thing is that I’m still in front and with Nani behind, it’s perfect for the team.”

Defending champion Richard Sainct of France continued to struggle and finished six minutes off Roma to lie eighth overall, 14:31 behind Esteve Pujol.

Wednesday’s seventh stage to Atar, Mauritania, which includes a 701km special, was already daunting Dakar newcomer Caldecott.

”Tomorrow’s stage is daunting because of the unknown! I’ve never done such a long stage,” said the Australian. — Sapa-AFP