UAE, Oct 24: The French duo of Cyril Despres and Jean-Louis Schlesser won the 359.60 kms third section of the UAE Marlboro Desert Challenge through the Rub Al-Khali in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (October 23). Despres began the stage fourth on the road this morning in the motorcycle category and rode his KTM 660 hard to catch his three closest rivals.
The Frenchman eventually extended his overall advantage over South Africa's Alfie Cox to nine minutes 20 seconds and looks in a strong position to clinch the FIM Cross Country Rallies title. Behind Despres, Poland's Marek Dabrowski rode strongly and finished second on the most difficult of the events four desert stages. Second-placed South African Alfie Cox was third overall. Frenchman Paul Rivet is the best non-KTM rider on his 12th-placed Honda.


Bureau Report