2006 Dakar Update 3

Day 7 - Friday 6 January 2006 Zouérat - Atâr (Mauritania)

Connection 10 km, Special 499 km, Connection 12 km, Total 521 km A big dose of courage was needed to cover this special. Technically difficult as well as providing a tough test of navigation, the day's riding consisted of large dunes alternating with fast flat portions on treacherous ground - proving to be one of the toughest stages of the rally. Starting in reverse order, David managed setting sixth time on CP1 (checkpoint). Fellow Frenchman Gilles Algay, (Yamaha WR450F) surprised by setting the quickest time at CP1. After refilling the obligatory water and fuel at CP1, a high-speed crash at about 130 km/h ended David's ambitions of a top five ranking. Despite the shock and a severely damaged bike, he refused to activate the emergency flare and instead took off again, clocking the eighth time after the 499 km special. Frétigné arrived in Atâr leaving significant work for the mechanics and his physiotherapist. Considering the damage to the bike, eighth position overall could be considered a good result.    Day 8 - Saturday 7 January 2005 Atâr - Nouakchott Connection 34 km, Special 508 km, Connection 26 km, Total 568 km The last stage before the much desired rest day was even more difficult in terms of navigation then the previous one. Bothered by physical discomforts of two serious crashes from a day earlier, Frétigné took off for the 568 km of the eighth stage. In search of a waypoint masque Frétigné lost one and a half hours on the top five riders. After finally reaching CP2 for the necessary refilling, David clocked a 33rd time, ending in 12th position for the night. Day 9 - Sunday 8 January 2006 Rest day at bivouac Nouakchott Several bikers have been given 2-hour time penalties today for missing out on a way point (WPM) during day 8. Among the top riders who missed the GPS point was Frétigné who lost 4 positions in the overall standings because of that, now 16th. Day 10 - Monday 9 January 2005 Nouakchott - Kiffa Connection 30 km, Special 599 km, Connection 245 km, Total 874 km Day 10 of the Dakar saw the longest stage set within Mauritania and a harsh environment displayed by the tragic death of KTM rider Andy Caldecott. Frétigné set a 17th time on CP2 but had a serious crash at kilometre 200. This crash damaged the front end of his bike, breaking off the support brackets of his navigation instruments. Therefore the remaining 600 km of stage could only be driven at a 30 km/h pace. David had to stop many times for temporary repairs to the bike. This resulted in a disappointing 45th place for the day, setting him back to 19th position in overall standings. Portuguese Yamaha pilot Hélder Rodrigues had a better day setting a third place for the day and improving his standing on the leader board to ninth position.

Overall standings after day 10/stage 9 1. 002 COMA (ESP) KTM en 38h49:15 2. 001 DESPRES (FRA) KTM +22:47 3. 006 SALA (ITA) KTM +53:04 4. 005 ULLEVALSETER (NOR) KTM +1h27:42 5. 004 DE GAVARDO (CHI) KTM +1h35:15 19. 012 FRETIGNE (FRA) YAMAHA+8:06:54