First ever victory in the Baja España Madrid – Aragón for Stéphane Peterhansel, who in his second participation in this Spanish race finished one better than last year when he was second behind his team mate …
Today`s stage was raced over yesterday`s special of 252km and witnessed a win by the French Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team driver. Peterhansel had a tight battle with Colin McRae, who at the wheel of his BMW had some chances of winning this Baja right up to the last moment. Nani Roma who was not really so competitive today in spite of the problems that have dogged him during the whole race, took a positive view of the excellent pace that he had had on the two previous stages. In spite of being out of the final battle for the victory the Repsol driver was driving at the same pace as the specialists like Stéphane Peterhansel and Colin McRae for much of the time. The latter was a World WRC Champion a few years ago.In the motorbike category Marc Coma won today`s stage. Last night the Repsol KTM Team rider worked hard to solve the problems that the rider from Avià had on his rear brake and was therefore able to fight to cut the gap that separated him from José Manuel Pellicer, the race leader. In the end Coma beat Pellicer by 47 seconds, a difference that was not enough to put him first in the general. However, both riders were penalised for not having their Control Cards stamped and so the winner of the Baja España Madrid – Aragón was the Spanish rider Gerard Farrés. The Team Repsol KTM appealed against the penalty stating that when the rider passed the control no marshall was there at that point and whilst the definitive decision is being deliberated Marc Coma has fallen down to 13th position.
