Declarations
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Guerlain Chicherit (FRA – BMW – 1st)
"At last a victory! It’s great! We had been running after it for five days. Wwere not far from it three days ago when we clocked the second time in spite of a puncture, and yesterday we were first before we got off the track and damage a wheel. These morning, we stared with the idea to win. So we attacked for the whole stage, and eventualy we won. Of course, the race is not over. We have to complete the last stage tomorrow at the Lac Rose, but at least, we have already won our bet. This victory is very important for the future. THanks to it we will have time to work peacefuly and come back next year with higher ambitions."
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Luc Alphand (FRA - Mitsubishi - 8th - 1st au général)
"It was a stage with many roots and trees. We got lost for about two kilomètres but I focused on following Giniel who had just overtook me a few minutes ago. It is true we have never been as close as today to a major success. But I am still focused on the race, so please don’t talk about podium."
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Jean-Louis Schlesser (FRA – Schlesser-Ford – 4th)
"Today’s major difficulty was to find the waypoints. If we hadn’t lost ourselves, we could have battled for victory. We also had to pay attention to all the roots hidden on each side of the track. For our team, it has been a very good rally, and two cars in the top 10 in the overall standing. But all thyis has no importance at all compared to the death of a kid. Everyone on the Dakar is aware of these risks and work as much as possible to avoid such dramas. Actually, we are all very moved by this."
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Giniel De Villiers (AFS – Volkswagen – 5th)
"It was a great stage today but quite difficult in terms of navigation. I caught up Luc after 80 kilometres and followed him until he chose the wrong way in a village? I seized this opportunity to overtake him and a few kilometres further, we made the mistake ourselves and lost about ten minutes. Anyway, when I overtook Luc, I could see he was very nervous, and I knew he would play on regularity. Tomorrow, the last stage is mostly dedicated to the show. So the race is almost over and I really want to congratulate Luc for all he has done. Of course I had rather win but this second place is at least a good result soince we are quite close to the winner. We have prooved we could battle for victory. So we will fix a few details and will be back to win."
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Alfie Cox (AFS – BMW – 2th)
"I am happy about this result which concludes a very frustating Dakar. But I must recognize that it was a real advantage to start 15th this morning, just behind Guerlain. Our first and second places confirm it. There was a& lot of naigation today and take benefits of the mistakes the guys ahead made. Of course, I attacked since I wanted to clock a good time after two weeks of bad luck. This morning Stéphane told me : I raely start in the bunch, but must admit that oncde you are in it, it is almost impossible to find a way out. Actually, when you don’t start ahead, you almost condamn your race. And if he says so... At last, for my first Dakar in a car, I have lived a strong and rich experience, so, I should not complain."
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Mark Miller (USA – Volkswagen – 3rd)
"I knew the most important today was to reach Dakar. So I drove safely all day long on a special full of traps and very difficult in terms of navigation. In spite of all this I gain a few precious minutes on Peterhansel. And tomorrow, I’ll try and attack as much as possible to get the fourth place. Anyway, I know I made a good race, but not a great race since I was focused on victory. And actually, this Dakar reminds me of an old sentence from Colorado: "Winners never quit and quiters never win." It’s has never been as true as on this race. So I am proud of myself since I never gave up."