First rider to pass the finish line in the fourth stage of the Oilibya Rally of Tunisia, is the young Polish Jakub Przygonski (KTM 450 No 15), leaving in pole position this morning, he was quite upset upon arrival. He was in the wake of Francisco Lopez (Aprilia 450 No 1) and he saw the Chilean fall heavily.
Within moments, he triggered the alarm, Portugal’s Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha 450 No. 3), then the Spaniard Jordi Viladoms (Yamaha 450 No 4) arrived at the scene, the Polish prodigy then got back on his bike in order to inform the arrival station, while the other two riders remained with “Chaleco” pending the arrival of the medical helicopter. In these circumstances it seems clear that the sporting interest of the 4th stage passes quickly into the background … very quickly transported by helicopter to the medical unit of the bivouac, the Chilean pilot, conscious but suffering from a fractured leg and hand, and a thoracic trauma was immediately transferred by helicopter to a hospital in Djerba La Douce for further tests…
ENDURO CUP: ROUX LEARNS QUICKLY
In these difficult circumstances, we will concentrate on the Enduro Cup which has, meanwhile, celebrated its third different winner of the stage in as many days. Indeed the Frenchman Thierry Roux (KTM No. 252), on his first African rally, signing the fastest time of the day in front of Xavier Moreau (KTM No. 251) and Tobias Younger (KTM No. 255). Fourth: Thomas Bourgin (Husaberg No. 253) retains the overall lead ahead of Italy’s Mossi (KTM No. 250). Congratulations to the Bulgarian duo consisting of Zomitsa Todorova (KTM 261) and Todor Hristov (CAN-AM No. 263) doing very well and always enjoying every moment.
QUAD: THE PAVLOV REFLEX
Always in the quad category, but in the FIM rankings, the Russian Dmitry Pavlov (Honda No 200) seems equally at home in the sand and on the fast and technical tracks. Signing his third stage victory in a row, despite the attempts of the Tunisian Karim Dilou (Yamaha 202), back in shape after a medical problem three days ago . Followed by the Italian Norbert Cangani (Polaris No. 203).
INTERVIEWS
Jakub Przygonski (Pol / KTM 450 No 15) : “Lopez overtook me 50 kilometers into the race and we rode together. The pace was very fast. When the accident occurred, near the finish, I was minute behind him. He was on the ground. I immediately raised the alarm on my Iritrack. When Helder Rodrigues arrived, we decided it was better that I inform the arrival post to confirm the request for emergency help… they were luckily already underway. ”
Jacek Czachor (Pol / KTM 450 No 5) : “I noticed on the road book that danger was approaching, so I slowed down and that’s when I saw that Chaleco, he was on the ground. In my opinion he was surprised by a series of tight corners … ”
Jordi Viladoms (ESP / Yamaha 450 No 4) : “It’s never nice to go through this kind of event. Francisco is a friend. We are all very close and you will understand that in these circumstances, the sporting aspect is secondary … I hope I have reassuring news before tonight. ”
Thierry Roux (Fra / KTM No. 252) : “This is my first African rally and I’m there to learn, especially in navigation. Yesterday was wonderful. We had time to enjoy the scenery. Today, however, the concentration was extreme because the track was fast and winding up to the end. But I did well… ”
Alain Delaunay (Fra / KTM, No 257) : “A bit too fast, with a lot of hidden traps, easy to fall off. This is my second raid in Tunisia, In 2007 I attempted the Dakar but didn’t make it, but in 2010 I finished the race, and feel confident. So far I’ve been really enjoying this Rally, more sand than Morocco, and Tunisia is so welcoming, I feel very safe here, the organisation is great. “
Zornitsa Todorova (Bul / Quad KTM, No 261) :”I enjoyed the navigation; it was not easy, as this stage was very fast, but we decided to take it easy and make sure we finished the stage. It’s my first time in the desert and my teacher Todor (No 263) is helping me learn this fantastic sport. Yesterday was tougher for me, but I’m loving the fun and experience of this rally.
Todor Hristo (Bul / CAN-AM, No 263) : “I broke three ribs, in the last special of the Dakar, 37 Kms from the finish line, So the pain is still there but I so wanted to come to Africa for the first time…there’s no fesh-fesh here ! I am having so much fun that I am definitely coming to Morocco in October. And a quick word for the great medical team here, they stitched me up after I hit the controls yesterday, and did a fine job, thanks!”
