French winners dominate Tunisia International Rally finish in Djerba

2008-05-08

After crossing Libya's desert without incident, the FIA OPTIC 2000 Tunisia Rally 2008 ended Saturday in Djerba. Organisers say the Rally success proved that Tunisia is safe and defied extremists.

By Jamel Arfaoui for Magharebia in Tunis – 08/05/08

[Jamel Arfaoui] The Tunisia International Rally was an unqualified success, despite fears of terrorism.

After a hotly-contested race that began in Marseilles, lasted for nine days under a sizzling sun and covered 4,123 km of the wide Sahara, large crowds on the island of Djerba waited Saturday (May 3rd) to see which of 24 participating nations crossed the finish line first at the Tunisia International Rally.

The French dominated the winner's podium at El Kantara beach. France's Dominique Housieaux and Jean Michel Polato took first place in the car category and fellow Frenchman Olivier Pain won the motorcycle category. A Tunisian of Italian origin, Marco Catcherli, won in the quad category.

Women also had some notable successes. Portugal's Elisabete Jacinto fiercely fought off her competitors in the heavy trucks category and managed to win second place after Czech Republic's Tomas Tomecek. In the car category, Florence Migraine-Bourgnon and Ludivine Marchand won the admiration of participants and organisers by finishing in 17th place. Reportedly heartbroken when the Dakar rally was cancelled, they made up for missing Dakar by becoming the only female team to make it to the end in Djerba.

Well before the start of the Rally on April 23rd, organisers got the word out to the media that this year's edition aimed to carry two clear messages: that Tunisia would run the race successfully in defiance of extremists, and that the desert is safe for its guests.

Their efforts clearly paid off. The number of participants in this year's edition more than doubled compared to 2007. In addition, more than 200 journalists from different local and international media outlets covered the event.

The FIA OPTIC 2000 Tunisia Rally 2008, which included the Libyan desert this year, came amidst mounting threats from Islamic extremists in the area, particularly after the kidnapping of two Austrian tourists in the Sahara last February by elements affiliated with the al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb. The Dakar Rally cancellation was prompted by security fears after the murder of French tourists in the Mauritanian desert.

"The race went well as far as security and organisation were concerned. All the participants expressed their joy over what they have achieved in the desert, which was extremely difficult," Tunisian driver Hend Chaouch told Magharebia. Chaouch added that the organizers of the Dakar Rally would be disappointed when they watched the Tunisia International Rally. "I think they will regret their decision to cancel their race," she noted.

After beginning in Marseille and covering three countries, Africa's most challenging race saw moments of great suspense and adventure. First, the Tunisian team was denied the participation of team star Anis Nabeli due to a mechanical failure in his motorcycle at the early stages of the race.

Next, fellow Tunisian Samir Hizem lost his way in the desert and spent the night in the open air. Organisers decided to disqualify him from the race because his delay exceeded the allowed time.

"It was a major disappointment for me, especially as I'm taking part for the first time in my life," Hizem told Magharebia. "I will not forget the night I spent in the middle of desert, where sandy winds were blowing from all directions. However, I have to admit that I have gained experience and knowledge about the secrets of the desert. I'm ready now to repeat the adventure," he added.

Racers and organisers also faced difficult moments when fire broke out in the motorcycle of Europe's champion Ludivine Puy, but everything went safely. However, shortly after this, the truck used for the transport of disabled motorcycles overturned in the heart of the Libyan desert.

"The desert is a challenge to all rally lovers," Hamida Saklaoui, the first woman ever to monitor the Rally, told Magharebia. "[But] the surprises it conceals inside it are worthy of the adventure."