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This year, the Telefonica-Dakar is renewing with the traditions which
built its renown in the past.
The start will be in France, the finish in Dakar, crossing 7 countries,
once more taking in mythical places such as Pierced Rock, Elephant Rock
and taking up again with Black Africa.
The route is one thing, the spirit another. Above all it will be the
spirit which will fire the 26th edition and plunge us into the heart of
human adventure and endurance.
For the second time, the start of the Telefonica-Dakar 2004 will be
given from Auvergne on January 1, 2004. After a prologue spectacular on
two parallel tracks in the Grande Halle d'Auvergne, a special stage in
Narbonne and one in Castellon, competitors will be crossing Spain to
Algeciras before unfurling on the African continent on January 3.
There they will renew with the wide-open spaces over rolling stages
which will leave riders precious little time to adjust before starting
out across Mauritania, in the heart of true, deep desert. This second
part of the Telefonica-Dakar will be the event's « prime morsel »,
alternating short and long stages, built like an endurance race without
assistance, during which entrants will have to dig deep into their own
resources and draw on talent, strength and courage. Then on to Mali,
Burkina Faso and Bobo-Dioulasso which this year will be hosting the rest
day. Back to Mali and Mauritania before returning to Senegal where a
classic but eagerly anticipated finish will be awaiting them in Dakar
« Il n'y a rien de plus beau que le désert.
Quand on l'a connu, quand on l'a ressenti, rien ne peut plus nous en
séparer.
Il
attire
et il garde chez lui tous ceux qui l'ont aimé et connu. »
Mano DAYAK
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