Scorpions show sting in Egypt

From Pirelli Tires

MILAN, ITALY – Pirelli Scorpion Rally took the overall victory in the 2009 Pharaons Rally with an excellent performance by Cyril Despres (Red Bull KTM), who was returning to this Egyptian location after five years.

He was followed in second by privateer Luca Manca (KTM) and the two places just shy of the podium by Marc Coma (Repsol KTM) and Jordi Viladoms (Repsol KTM). This represents the fifth round of the six-round Rally World Championship, where Despres currently holds the lead as well.

This rally is shorter compared to the mountainous South American rallies like Dakar and Rally dos Sertões where the Scorpion Rally has already seen the podium, but instead runs nearly 2600km through the sands of Egypt, leaving Cairo and returning after seven days in the desert.

Some of the stages are flat, hard packed sand from dried up lakes, and others are deep thick sand and dunes that require excellence balance, momentum and focused vision. The Scorpion Rally encountered the almost pure dune environment of Stage 5, which was difficult for even the most capable pilots, and although Despres finished in seventh place, he was back in form on Stage 6 and crossed the finish line first.

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

Giovanni Gatti, Pirelli’s Off-Road Racing Manager said, "We have participated in the International Cross Country this year with the hope having some selected pilots run the new Scorpion Rally tire. Instead we have seen victories in every rally this year. I’m very pleased that the Scorpion Rally has demonstrated its diversity and durability in these extreme off-road events."

The international cross country rally riders return to their homes and will travel to Afghanistan for the Maroc Rally on Oct. 24-30.