January 29, 2007

Scott athletes pack the podium at Dakar Rally

Cyril Despres took the overall victory in the bike class at the 2007 Dakar Rally. The 32 year-old Frenchman sat 24th after the third stage following engine and clutch problems, but fought back to 2nd place by the thirteenth stage.



He took over the lead in the thirteenth stage after leader Marc Coma crashed. American Chris Blais raced consistently throughout the rally stages to take third overall. Both Despres and Blais wore their Scott Xi Goggles all the way to the podium. This marks Despres’ second Dakar overall win in three years, although he told media that this was his proudest professional moment, and it was Blais’ best finish to date.



In the car class, Stephane Peterhansel and Team Mitsubishi took the overall victory in front of Luc Alphand, also a Mitsubishi driver. Peterhansel has 9 overall victories, six on a bike and three in a car. Scott proudly outfits the factory Mitsubishi team with Scott bicycles for training and preparation, as well as with mechanic gear.

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Cyril Despres

Chris Blais

Team Mitsubishi