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De Villiers wins nervy Dakar Rally

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-01-20 09:36

BUENOS AIRES -- South African Giniel De Villiers won the Dakar rally on Saturday after a narrow victory in the final stage of the controversial race.

South Africa's Giniel De Villiers and co-driver Dirk Von Zitzewitz compete in their Volkswagen during the 13th stage of the South American edition of the Dakar Rally 2009, from La Rioja to Cordoba, January 16, 2009. [Agencies]

De Villiers, who twice benefited after previous leaders dropped out during the two-week event, finished the 227km timed section of the stage from Cordoba to Buenos Aires in one hour, 35 minutes and 43 seconds.

He finished two seconds ahead of Russian Leonid Novitsky.

South Africa's Giniel De Villiers celebrates after winning the South American edition of the Dakar Rally 2009 in Carcarana, 334km (207 miles) north of Buenos Aires, January 17, 2009. [Agencies]

"I was so nervous in the last kilometers," De Villiers told reporters. "I kept looking at how many kilometers we still had to go. But I must say this is an incredible feeling."

De Villiers was handed the lead for the first time during the sixth stage when Qatari Nasser Al Attiyah was disqualified for failing to follow the official route.

Volkswagen Touraeg's Giniel De Villiers (R) of South Africa and his co-pilot Dirk Von Zitzewitz of Germany celebrate at the podium after winning the South American edition of the Dakar Rally 2009 in Buenos Aires January 18, 2009. [Agencies]

He was overtaken the following day by Carlos Sainz but regained the lead on Thursday when the Spaniard crashed out.

De Villiers finished eight minutes and 59 seconds ahead of Volkswagen teammate Mark Miller of the United States in the overall standings and one hour, 46 minutes ahead of another American, Robby Gordon.

The race was moved to Argentina and Chile this year from its traditional venue in Africa because of security fears in Mauritania which forced the cancellation of last year's event.

But it retained its deadly reputation when French motorcyclist Pascal Terry was found dead on Jan 7, three days after going missing during the second stage. He was the 26th competitor to die in the race's 31-year history.

Spain's Marc Coma, champion in 2006, comfortably won the motorcycle race for a second time after finishing third in Saturday's final stage, won by Portugal's Helder Rodrigues.

Agencies