Tragedy Strikes Penultimate Stage of Dakar Rally

Topics:  Dakar Rally

VOA Sports
January 14, 2006

For the second day in a row, tragedy has struck the Dakar Rally, with another spectator killed in the penultimate stage in Senegal.

A 10-year-old boy was struck and killed Saturday at the 200-kilometer point of the stage between Tambacounda and Dakar.

The rally was already mourning the death of another 10-year-old in Guinea Friday.

Despite Saturday's accident, the race continued with Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit winning the car section in 2:36:33. Teammate Alfie Cox of South Africa was second, 3:13 back, with American Mark Miller third.

Mitsubishi driver Luc Alphand of France retained the overall lead, 17:53 seconds ahead of Giniel De Villiers of South Africa.

In the motorcycle section, Yamaha rider David Frétigné of France won the stage in 3:16:59. Overall leader Marc Coma of Spain aboard a KTM was 33 seconds back with another Yamaha rider Gerard Farres Guell of Spain third. Coma leads the overall standings 1:13:29 ahead of Frenchman Cyril Despres.

Sunday's final stage is a 110-kilometer loop around Dakar, Senegal with a 31-kilometer special timed section.

Some information for this report provided by AP.