Despres wins Pharaons Rally

From KTM Racing

Red Bull KTM factory rider Cyril Despres of Andorra celebrated his return to the Pharaons Rally with an overall victory on Sunday, leading in a trio of KTM riders at the conclusion of the seven-stage event.

It was Despres' first appearance at the Pharaons Rally in five years and gave the French-born rider a chance to hone his rally skills over a course that was largely challenging desert dunes.

Despres started cautiously in the opening stage - in his words - to "get back into the groove" but also to secure himself a good starting position for the second day. His tactics paid off and he came home 13 minutes ahead Chilean ‘Chaleco' Lopez on day two and was then lying in second place.

Stage three sent riders straight into the dunes and Despres opened the piste and rode alone for the entire stage to capture the day's glory and the overall lead. On what he described as a "magnificent day" Despres then had an 11:10 lead going into Stage Four. After a mass start, he rode most of the day and the 230km stretch with Poland's Jakub Przygonski to win the stage and extend his lead.

Stage five tested the riders with difficult navigation and Despres finished back in seventh place after getting stuck on the crest of a dune about 60km from the end to trim back his overall lead. He was back in form for stage six and crossed the line first however the stage was eventually scrapped following an accident of an assistance vehicle.

On the final day Despres emerged the overall winner ahead of Italian Luca Manca and Przygonski, both onboard KTM machines.

"I was first into refueling and must have taken on some bad petrol because 50km further on the bike's engine started to run rough," Despres explained. "From there on I was obliged to ride at a maximum of 100 km/h and keep my finger crossed all the way to the finish line.

"Overall it was an excellent rally and I am delighted to add it to my tally. The route was varied, the navigation interesting and I felt great on the bike, so all in all I am very satisfied."

Despres now returns to Andorra to prepare for the Morocco Rally (Oct. 24-30).

Results Open Class
1. Cyril Despres, Andorra, KTM 690
2. Luca Manca, Italy, KTM 660 Rally +6:40
3. Jakub Przygonski, Poland, KTM 690 +21:11