New leader on bikes
author: Leon Botha
The winner of the motorcycle section of the 2002 TOTAL Dakar, Fabricio Meoni, on a twin KTM 950 LC8, has taken the overall lead in the 2003 Telefonica Dakar. Meoni finished today's 8th stage between Ghat and Sabha in 6th place, followed by the overnight overall leader, Richard Sainct on a KTM 660 LC4.
Meoni reached the finish of the 497 km stage 2 minutes 21 seconds before Peterhansel, to lead overall by 34 seconds.
The stage winner today was Giovanni Sala, also on a KTM, followed by Jean Brucy on a similar machine, 2 minutes 06 second behind. Third was Cyril Despres, another KTM rider, 3 minutes 39 seconds behind Sala. Joan Nani Roma, also on a twin KTM finished in 5th place on the stage, and is now third overall 2 minutes o7 seconds behind Meoni.
The big news of the day was the withdrawal of South African star Alfie Cox, who fell and injured his shoulder. Cox was airlifted to a hospital in Sabha.
He has already spoken to his wife, Hazel, and at this stage it would seem that nothing in his shoulder has been broken and he assured his wife that he was fine. It was however, a sad ending to the rally for Cox who was lying fifth overall and looking to secure a win.
As a result Cyril Despres has now moved in 5th overall , 4 minutes 51 seconds off the pace. Today's stage winner, Sala, is 6th overall, but 31 minutes 20 seconds adrift of the leader.
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