Local people enthusiastically cheer on the drivers

The French duo of Peterhansel and Cottret had moved into the outright lead of the event on the second of four stages through the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in the last half of the race. But the eight-time winner struck a tree in another stage and lost over three hours and any chance of taking a third consecutive win in Dakar.
  "I made a mistake a few days ago, and with the level of competition we have seen this year on the Dakar, there was no way I could recover that time," said Peterhansel. "Whether you finish fourth or fifth does not really matter. I am disappointed that I could not complete the hat trick of wins, but Mitsubishi has won the race and that is the priority. It is also great for Luc and Gilles to take a first win together."
  "I am so happy for every member of our team," said Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team President Isao Torii. "I would like to thank everyone for their work and thank our partners and sponsors for their efforts. I have been with this team for the last two victories and this was the most exciting of the races. It has been a privilege to be a part of this success and to see the French and Japanese members of the team working together so successfully. Tomorrow we will switch our focus to preparing to win the race for a seventh successive time in 2007."