Dakar Rally director predicts classic edition

Dakar Rally director Etienne Lavigne said he expected this years' event to be a classic.

"As with wines there are different vintages but this one should be a 'grand cru' for the cars and bikes. I've got a good feeling about it," said Lavigne, saying that in his pre-race visit to the start he "came across many drivers who seemed very happy about the course."

With Argentina hosting the race for the second straight year after political instability in Africa forced the cancellation of the 2008 edition, Lavigne said security was paramount.

"My priority is that things go ahead in good secure conditions, but it must also be interesting and competitive in the sporting sense.

"There will be a big crowd - we've done all we can to ensure that it's a success."

Regarding the choice of venue for 2011, Lavigne said he would wait and see how this edition worked out, in terms of racer satisfaction, financially and also the level of media interest.

He noted that "the Dakar gets more exposure in South America than Africa. Last year we had 1130 hours of TV coverage as against 930 two years earlier in Africa. We have to keep all these elements in perspective."

Asked about the possibility of a renewed venue switch Lavigne said: "It's 50-50. If we left here it would be more for eastern Africa - Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. Further down, in Niger and Chad, it's more complicated."

Roma, Casteu win

Spain's Nani Roma, driving a BMW, won the opening stage of the Dakar Rally yesterday, a 294km timed run from Buenos Aires to Cordoba.

Roma finished in 10th place overall in 2009 driving for the Mitsubishi team which opted against returning to the gruelling event this year.

The Spaniard finished over two minutes ahead of compatriot and former world rally champion Carlos Sainz, driving a Volkswagen, while another BMW pilot Stephane Peterhansel of France was third and Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah, who was disqualified last year, was fourth in his Volkswagen.

France's David Casteu, on a Sherco, won the opening motorcycling stage.