Luc Alphand
Luc Alphand
Luc Alphandis a former World Cup alpine ski racer from France. He specialized in the speed events and later became a race car driver...
came caught chance closely collected cost dust puncture running slow together until winning
Carlos had a puncture and I was in his dust for a time. Then he caught me and we let him passed. Then Hiroshi came back at me and we were all running closely together until I collected a rear-right slow puncture and that cost me the chance of winning the stage.
case compare difference speed stage strengths suited terms top twin
It was a case of surviving. It was not really a stage suited to the strengths of the Mitsubishis. It was interesting to compare our speed with the Volkswagens and now they have the twin turbo engines, there is really very little difference between us in terms of the top speed.
far moment position
From that moment onwards, I was in a position to win. I just had to keep it going because De Villiers was not far behind.
dropping expected good higher leaders risks slightly stage stay taking touch
I expected today's stage to be drier than yesterday, because of the slightly higher altitude. The important thing was to stay in touch with the leaders without taking any risks and dropping too much time. It was a good day for me.
attempt car chance days ended fantastic feeling great hard helicopter highs knew lows position rally seat skiing team win worked
My first attempt at the Dakar Rally ended with a seat in a helicopter and I never wanted to be in that position again. I knew I had a great chance to win. The team worked so hard on the development of our car and I think over the 15 days we were the better all-round team. It's a fantastic feeling to win the Dakar. I experienced many highs and lows in my skiing career, but this is so different.
arise european feelings lose mixed muddy problems rained rivals second slide stage tomorrow unlike
I have mixed feelings about these long European stages. Unlike some of our rivals we had no problems with the windscreen misting over when it rained in October. But I think the problems could arise tomorrow if it rains. If it is really muddy on the second stage it could be dangerous; if you slide or lose traction, that is where the problems begin.
bikes car cars chance dust finish pass safely stage today train
We let Carlos, Nasser and Hiroshi pass us today and then we were in their dust. If you want to finish the stage safely you need to keep out of the dust of the car in front. It was just like a long train of cars and bikes today. There was no chance to get into a rhythm.
advantage
It was a big advantage to be first on the road.
accidents drivers families front home reckless thinking
Of course, we are thinking of them and their families but there are accidents at home in front of schools. There are reckless drivers at home.
accidents hard rally year
The rally is hard and unfortunately this year there were some accidents.
car chance days fantastic feeling great hard highs knew lows skiing team win worked
I knew I had a great chance to win. The team worked so hard on the development of our car and I think over the 15 days we were the better all-round outfit. It's a fantastic feeling to win the Dakar. I experienced many highs and lows in my skiing career, but this is so different.