Montauban. Dakar: four Tarn-et-Garonnais in the race

The Tarn-et-Garonne is far from absent from the streets of the Dakar 2023, in Saudi Arabia, from the prologue of this December 31st, to the Sea Camp and up to the fourteenth and final stage on January 15th which will see the competitors arrive in Dammam where the arrival of the most popular rally-raid in the world will be judged. Tarn-et-Garonne’s competitors are experts.

First, the co-driver Montalban Pascal Larroque n. 232 is alongside Jérôme Pelichet. The latter had deprived the Montalbanais of the Dakar last season by testing positive for Covid before the start of the event. Pascal Larroque’s best performance in the Dakar (eighth) dates back to 2002. An event in which Pascal Larroque has participated since 1998.

Also in the car category, there is the co-driver from Castelsarrasi Jean-Michel Polato who is partnered with Ronald Basso. Last year, this same crew finished the Dakar 43rd overall and 2nd in T2. Jean-Michel Polato’s best performance in the Dakar (fifth) dates back to 2001. Jean-Michel Polato has been participating in the Dakar since 2000.

There is also a Montalban truck with Philippe Perry and Philippe Pédèche. This is their second participation, after that of 2022.

Six cars from the Micouleau de Beaumont team

Not to forget the Micouleau team from Beaumont-de-Lomagne who arrived at the Dakar with six vehicles. During Saturday’s prologue, Tarn-et-Garonnais experienced mixed fortunes. Pascal Larroque 44th, Jean-Michel Polato 129th, for Micouleau Stéphane Consani and Thibault Jean-de-la-Haye 77th, Benjamin Lattard and Patrick Jimbert 113th, Jean-Pascal Besson and Delphine Delphino 132nd, Christophe Baillet and Jean -Louis Simon Herbeth 140th, Christophe Cresp and Jean Brucy 156, Michael Pisano and Mayeul Barbet 159. In trucks, Philippe Perry and Philippe Pedèche finished 47th overall.

On Sunday, Pascal Larroque finished 70th, Jean-Michel Polato 135th. Among the Micouleau abandons Michael Pisano, the other cars pass, 110th Stéphane Consani, 112th Jean-Pascal Besson, 119th Christophe Cresp, 132nd Benjamin Lattard, 152nd Christophe Baillet. In trucks, Montalbanais Philippe Perry and Philippe Pedèche took 48th place. It must be said that the ranking can be overturned quickly and what will count is arriving safely on January 15th. This Tuesday, the stage will take all the competitors from Alula to Ha’il 221 km of links and 447 km of special in Saudi sand, with for some the accent of the Tarn-et-Garonne.