This fourth stage between Er Rachidia and Ouarzazate was reported have the most terrain changes of any during the 2006 Rally. The context was as expected. Due to their position of the previous day, Caldecott and Grider left first this morning at 6:00 A.M. However, experience and navigation proved to be most important as both the Australian and the American got lost after some kilometers, and the American also had a problem of gasoline. In fact, their navigation "job" was taken by Isidre Esteve; the Spaniard virtually led the group and passing for first at CP 1 and CP 2 (km kilometres 125 and 221).
The problem is that navigation requires a lot of concentration and many tough decisions in a split second. For that reason, the average speed of the "navigator" dramatically slows down and the "followers" can easily come upon the leader. Cyril Despres accomplished this during yesterday's stage, but today it was Marc Coma's turn. Following the traces, the Team Repsol KTM rider rapidly recovered his starting gap up to the finish line.
Finally the stage was not as difficult as Etienne Lavigne announced at the briefing yesterday night. The director of the Dakar also warned the competitors about the first dune crossings of the stage. Also the Merzouga erg were passed by the riders without difficulties.
Fastest at the two check points this morning, Isidre Esteve won today's special test, but Repsol KTM champion Marc Coma, who finished second just before his teammate Carlo De Gavardo, is now the new leader of the race, with an advantage of five minutes. "The tactic process of this stage was not so easy. This morning Caldecott and Grider got away very early and at a very high speed. If they did not get lost, maybe the result of the stage would be different. One of the first things that must be learned is that speed has to be secondary. The first priority is not to make mistakes and then you have to sustain a sharp rhythm. And finally you have to be supported by your complete and absolute concentration. It is difficult to handle this delicate balance between the elements.
"This morning the stage was rocky but relatively easy until the dune section, and I crossed the dunes with more and more confidence. Then there was a section where the navigation was more complicated. I calmed down and studied the situation, then I chose the right track in a real labyrinth of tracks. The final section was very fast. Can I give you my opinion on my race? I feel good, and I try to be always clever and calm. The goal of the leadership has been accomplished today, and the main meaning of this success is that the work of the entire team is perfect."
The winner of the stage was happy but a little preoccupied: "Tomorrow," said Isidre Esteve, "I will open the trace, and a lot of work is waiting for me."
The other Gauloises KTM team member Cyril Despres preferred to trace a balance of this first part of the Dakar: "Yesterday I was happy because of the result, today because I enjoyed the passage of the first dunes. I can say that the race is only at the beginning and that I did a good job. All is working well."
Tomorrow the stage will reach Tan Tan; it will be simply the first of an "over 800" trio. Exactly 819 kilometres, with the fifth special test of the Dakar 350 km long. There are no dunes in the profile of the special test, but two long technical sections. Furthermore, the race will go down to sea level. Heat can also begin to affect the hard work of the competitors.
Rankings: Fourth Stage — Special: 386 km
Stage Results
1. Esteve Pujol (Gauloises KTM), 04:13:01h
2. Coma (Repsol KTM), + 00:28
3. De Gavardo (Repsol KTM), + 05:15
4. Despres (Gauloises KTM), +06:50
5. Casteu (Gauloises KTM) + 15:41
6. Caldecott (Repsol KTM), + 17:44
7. Fretigne (YAMAHA), + 18:39
8. Sala (Repsol KTM), + 20:32
9. Ullevalseter (KTM), + 21:33
10. De Azevedo (KTM), + 24:24
11. Faria (KTM), + 24:37
12. Blais (Red Bull USAKTM), + 26:20
13. Katrinak (KTM), + 26:25
14. AgraCarrera (YAMAHA), + 27:58
15. Amaral (KTM), + 27:59
16. Farres Geull (YAMAHA), +28:22
17. Duclos (KTM), + 28:43
18. Gau (Gauloises KTM), + 29:50
19. Verhoeven (YAMAHA), +31:42
20. Pellicer (KTM), + 38:35
25. Grider (Red Bull USAKTM), +01:12:09
59. Viladoms (Repsol KTM), + 01:35:17
Overall Results:
1. Coma (Repsol KTM), 10:17:57 h
2. Esteve Pujol (Gauloises KTM), 10:22:48 h, + 04:51
3. Despres (Gauloises KTM), 10:23:03 h, + 05:06
4. De Gavardo (Repsol KTM), 10:25:09 h, + 07:12
5. Casteu (Gauloises KTM), 10:37:32h, + 19:35
6. Caldecott (Repsol KTM), 10:37:38h, + 19:41, Penalty: 02:00
7. Fretigne (YAMAHA), 10:40:41h, + 22:44
8. Sala (Repsol KTM), 10:50:19h, + 32:22
9. AgraCarrera (YAMAHA), 10:51:32h, + 33:35
10. Blais (Red Bull USAKTM), 10:52:56h, + 34:59
11. Ullevalseter (KTM), 10:53:04 h, + 35:07
12. Duclos (KTM), 10:54:13 h, + 36:16
13. Amaral (KTM), 10:54:23 h, + 36:26
14. Katrinak (KTM), 10:55:49 h, + 37:52
15. Pellicer (KTM), 10:56:27 h, + 38:30
16. De Azevedo (KTM), 10:56:51 h, + 38:54
17. Gau (Gauloises KTM), 10:58:04 h, + 40:07
18. Farres Guell (YAMAHA), 10:58:27 h, + 40:30
19. Verhoefen (YAMAHA), 11:02:39 h, + 44:42, Penalty: 02:00
20. Street (KTM), 11:07:42 h, + 49:45
24. Grider (Red Bull USAKTM), 11:34:22h, + 01:16:25
33. Viladoms (Repsol KTM), 12:14:17h, + 01:56:20