NEMA, Mauritania, 11 January 2004 — Defending champion Hiroshi Masuoka won the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally here on Friday in his Mitsubishi but his triumph was overshadowed as security fears led to the cancellation of yesterday’s and today’s stages in Mali.
The Japanese driver, bidding for a third successive win, completed the 355km run from Tidjikja to Nema in a time of 9hr 03min 43sec, an advantage of 18min 32sec over French teammate Stephane Peterhansel with Germany’s Jutta Kleinschmidt in third in her Volkswagen.
Despite his second place on the day, Peterhansel, retained the overall advantage with a 1hr 04min lead over Masuoka.
“Now that’s a real special,” said Peterhansel.
The racing action was relegated into the shadow of the continent’s unsettled political climate.Stages 10 and 11, which were to take place in the vast, troubled country of Mali, were called off.
Instead, the competitors were to cut across to the Malian capital of Bamako yesterday and head to Bobo-Dioulasso today for the rest day tomorrow.
“For reasons linked to the security of the rally and its competitors, we have judged it necessary to modify stages 10 and 11 (Nema — Mopti and Mopti — Bobo-Dioulasso) of this year’s event,” Dakar Rally organizers said.
“These two stages have been neutralized and will become liaisons.
“This decision has been taken in consultation with Mali and French authorities.”
The rally will return to its normal schedule from Tuesday with stage 12 taking the competitors from Bobo-Dioulasso to Bamako.
Frenchman Cyril Despres, riding a KTM, on Friday won the motorcycle race of the stage. His time of 9hr 34min 33sec was 3min 24sec quicker than South Africa’s Alfie Cox and 21min 39sec better than fellow Frenchman Richard Sainct.
