Motorsport: Alphand, Coma win death-marred Rally

LAC ROSE, Senegal, - French driver Luc Alphand and Spanish rider Marc Coma won their first Dakar Rally today but both lamented the accidents which killed two young boys and an Australian competitor during the 9000km race.

As a tribute to the three victims, organisers decided not to time today's 110km last stage around Lac Rose, a scenic salt lake set amid beachside sand dunes north east of Dakar.

The rally ended as always with a podium finish and the prize presentations but the event was overshadowed by the deaths of motorcyclist Andy Caldecott, who crashed during the ninth stage last Monday, and the two young African boys who were hit by vehicles on Friday and Saturday.

"It really raises the question of safety," said spectator Hussein Ousman, who has seen the rally arrive in Dakar 20 times.

"These deaths are terrible. We cannot have this. Something must be done about it."

Mitsubishi driver Alphand, winner of the 1997 Alpine skiing World Cup, won the cars division with a 17 minutes and 53 second lead overall over Volkswagen driver Giniel De Villiers of South Africa. Last year's winner, Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel, came fourth.

"The rally is hard and unfortunately this year there were some accidents," Alphand said.

Coma dedicated his victory to his fellow KTM rider Caldecott, a four-times winner of the Australia Safari, who was competing in his third Dakar and had won the third stage of this year's race.

"I dedicate this to Andy, who had the bad luck to be involved in an accident and lost his life," Coma said.

The race has now claimed 48 lives, including eight children, 23 competitors and the founder of the rally Thierry Sabine, in its 28-year history.

Alphand said the worst moment of his race came when he hit a tree on Tuesday and was forced to stop for repairs.

"I thought it was all over because we had been driving well," he said.

"We were constantly fighting with Peterhansel. It was a real fight."

Peterhansel himself later collided with a tree, losing precious time.

"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," Alphand said.

KTM riders dominated the top eight spots with Coma defeating French title holder Cyril Despres by one hour 13 minutes and 29 seconds.

Thousands of spectators were scattered around the lake and along the nearby beach to watch the racers go by. Young Senegalese boys dressed in traditional costumes played drums to entertain the crowds.

"I love the Dakar rally, because everyone is here," said 20-year old Mamadou, another spectator.

- REUTERS