Despres at a disadvantage

Cyril Despres believes the unexpected weekend off for Dakar Rally competitors may have harmed his hopes of winning the 6,800-mile trek across two continents.

The Frenchman was fourth overall when weekend stages in Mali were cancelled due to fears over militia activity.

With today already scheduled as a rest day, that meant a three-day rest for the competitors, particularly the motorcyclists, who were allowed to fly to Burkina Faso.

But Despres had been banking on his stamina to help him to overhaul leader Joan Roma over the remaining six stages.

He said: “It’s a strange feeling. On the one hand it’s good to rest but on the other hand, I don’t really need it.

“I was counting on my physical strength to make a difference, so I have an advantage less.”

Second-placed Richard Sainct, on the other hand, is grateful for the rest but is ruing a missed opportunity to close the gap on Roma.

He said: “It’s great to do the stage on a plane. It’s relaxing. On the other hand, I would have preferred to do it on my bike in the race. Now, for the other competitors, it’s a good thing that they can rest.

“If I had been leading the overall, this break wouldn’t have disturbed me. Now I lose chances to gain time in the overall.

“But I have to remain positive, I’m second overall and on the fourth day of the rally, I was 30th. That’s great.

“I’ll be back in the race in good condition for the second week.”