Schlesser Ford PODIUM Finish. DAKAR 2007.

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With the two top positions in the overall rankings in their hands, Stéphane Peterhansel and Luc Alphand then started a pretty tame internal struggle. Race orders or not, both former winners refused applying the same outrageously risky strategy as VW. Without really feeling any threat, the Mitsubishi drivers preferred protecting themselves form the potential come-back of the blue buggy of Jean-Louis Schlesser, who also finishes the rally on the podium with two stage victories in his hands and a first place in the two-wheel drive rankings. The BMW X-Raid team, which was supposed to play referee in the battle, lost many illusions, the fast fall of Kleinschmidt, who was already 2h23 behind the leader after two stages in Morocco, the somersaults which put an end to the adventure of Guerlain Chicherit, who was then sixth in the overall rankings, and the penalty that expelled from the top 5 Nasser Al Attiyah, the only stage winner of the team were just too much.
Excellent result, considering he is a privateer, no factory backing. he'll be back in 2008. Go Schlessor FORD !!!!