Dakar 2003. 2nd stage: Narbonne-Castellón

The Dakar arrives in Spain with Joan Roma fourth overall
The second special stage of the race has been held today with good results for the Repsol riders
 The Dakar 2003 has reached Spain with the finish line located in the city of Castellón. The second stage of the race, which has led the participants from Narbonne to Castellón included a new special of 43 kilometres, which has placed Joan Roma on the fourth overall position, followed by his team-mate Marc Coma. Isidre Esteve finished thirteenth. The new provisional leader is Richard Sainct, and the difference between all of the favourites is very small, as they get ready to board for the African continent. All riders of the Telefónica Movistar Repsol team have finished without problems, showing themselves satisfied before starting the long liaison that will take them to Castellón travelling on the highway. Nonetheless, the weather was quite unpleasant in the Chateau Lastours area, host to the special. Cold temperatures, fog and humidity forced the riders to take several precautions to prevent crashes not only considering the 43 kilometres of the special but also the long liaison to Spain, where they fortunately were received buy much more pleasant weather conditions. Joan Roma: Todays stage has been really difficult for my motorbike. Very technical and complicated, and with narrow corners that do not favour its features. Additionally we had fog and mud. The truth is, that I took a lot of precautions, more than expected, to stand the stage in good conditions. We have done well and the Dakar hasnt really started yet. Isidre Esteve: ‘This second special has been slower than expected but I finished very satisfied because I had no trouble at all with the wrist. Everything worked out very well’. Marc Coma: ‘I finished OK and with the right result, although the route has been complicated due to the slippery stones. Therefore Ive been riding slowly without taking any risks, always thinking about the long trip to Castellón’. The participants will spend the night in Catellón, and tomorrow morning the last European special will be staged there, before the last liaison to Valencia, where the whole race will board a ship, which will take them to Africa.