Peterhansel sets sights on Dakar Rally win
Dakar Rally legend Stephane Peterhansel has warned his rivals he is hungry for even more success as he goes looking for a ninth victory on the desert marathon.
The Frenchman starts the 5,600-mile trek from the Portuguese city of Lisbon to Dakar in Senegal tomorrow, eager to claim a hat-trick of wins.
Peterhansel started his Dakar career on bikes, winning six times, before switching to cars. He won the last two events and is favourite to add a third, which would give Mitsubishi six straight wins.
Despite the repeated success, Peterhansel has lost none of his desire.
He said: “I have been involved in the competition for over 15 years. The sport is my life and I get a buzz out of the title of being a champion.
“It is always tough to win, but I am passionate about my sport and love the competition and trying to do the best I can.
“Jean-Paul Cottret [co-driver] and I are quietly confident. We have a good track record together on the Dakar and will be well prepared. It will not be easy by any means.
“Experience tells us that the Dakar is such an unpredictable event. The route is complicated, but we are both well motivated this year and looking forward to the start.”
But Peterhansel’s success on the Dakar Rally is tainted by the intrinsic dangers involved in an annual journey through some of the world’s most unstable countries on dangerous desert terrain.
His former bike rival Fabrizio Meoni, a two-time winner, was killed in a crash last year and Peterhansel does not underestimate the dangers of the Dakar.
“The desert can be very hard,” he added. “For Jean-Paul and I it has offered many happy times, but has also filled me with deep sadness.
“I have gained great pleasure from the stunning scenery, the panoramic views and the visions of Africa, both on a bike and in a car.
“But I have also lost friends in the desert. There have been serious accidents. It can be a very lonely and inhospitable place in racing.”
Peterhansel’s run of success on four wheels brought to an end Hiroshi Masuoka’s winning streak, and the Japanese driver wants his title back this time around.
Masuoka has won twice and he is confident his new Mitsubishi will give him the chance to add a third.
He said: “The new car is very strong and fast and I think it is the best of its kind in the world.
“I am very happy to be in this team. Every year the technicians improve the performance of the car. Now I feel that I can win the Dakar Rally for the third time.”
In the bike category, Cyril Despres is the defending champion while Britain’s Patsy Quick, from East Sussex, mounts another challenge for fastest female honours.
