May 01, 2006

Pujol & Peterhansel win Tunisia Rally 06

The Spanish Scott team rider Isidre Esteve won the Optic 2000 Rally in front of teammate David Casteu of France. Pal Anders Ullevalseter of Norway completed the podium. Czachor finished in 4th place in front of Polli, Portal and Lazard, all KTM riders.

Esteve takes home his first Tunisian rally win, finally getting the better of his teammate David Casteu and the Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM LC4).
Everybody was waiting to see the KTM Gauloises Duo. After the strategic move of Esteve Sunday at Ksar Ghilaine, David Casteu didn’t want to make a fuss, letting his teammate catch him and then win the event on his all new blue KTM 660. (source: www.endurouk.com)

Also Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team driver Stéphane Peterhansel and co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret clinched their third victory in the Optic 2000 Rally of Tunisia on 4 wheels.



“It’s a great feeling to win here again,” said Peterhansel. “I remember three years ago, on the final stage, we were leading and we were forced to stop with a fire just 50 km from the end. After a bad Dakar it is good to win here again. It was a fast race with a strong entry. After 66 km today, Giniel passed me. I started slowly this morning. I heard his horn and he passed me. I tried to follow him, but he had a good pace and I lost a couple of minutes with a tricky navigational section near the finish on the beach.”

“This was a tough rally and I am delighted that we have a victory,” said MMSP’s Team Director Dominique Serieys. “Our rivals also had problems with one car. We have learned a lot for the next Dakar. We are still winning. We have now won in Dubai, Dakar. South America and, now, here in Tunisia. Our new car is coming and that can only make us stronger in the future. I am proud of our team and I feel positive about the future.”

Only two of the three Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Evolutions reached the finish: Luc Alphand and co-driver Gilles Picard held second overall at the start of the El Borma to Ksar Ghilane stage on Easter Saturday, but were forced to retire the third Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Evolution after an accident.

Alphand – last year’s winner in Tunisia - sustained a minor hand injury in the incident, but the car’s integral roll cage was damaged by the impact and team management had no alternative but to withdraw this year’s Dakar Rally winners from the event.

This year’s Optic 2000 Rally of Tunisia was held over a compact total route of 2,274 km, of which 2,042 km were competitive.