Luc Alphand

We let Carlos, Nasser and Hiroshi pass us today and then we were in their dust. If you want to read more

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.

Carlos had a puncture and I was in his dust for a time. Then he caught me and we let read more

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.

It was a big advantage to be first on the road.

It was a big advantage to be first on the road.

It was a case of surviving. It was not really a stage suited to the strengths of the Mitsubishis. It read more

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.

I knew I had a great chance to win. The team worked so hard on the development of our car read more

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.