Polaris Outlaw tops in Dakar Series

France’s Hubert Deltrieu rode his Polaris Outlaw 525 IRS to victory in the Dakar Series Central Europe Rally.

The seven-day event saw competitors ride 2,671 km (1,659 miles) through Romania and Hungary from April 20 to 26. Deltrieu finished the course in 14 hours, 36 minutes and 55 seconds.

Fellow Frenchman Christophe Declerck finished about a half hour behind Deltrieu in second on a Yamaha Raptor 700. Declerck was trailing Deltrieu by about 45 minutes heading into the final stage, but the leader ran into some trouble.

Deltrieu celebrates his Central Europe Rally victory.

“First the mounting for my GPS broke, and then I got a puncture 5 km from the finish. I had to finish the special with a flat tire, which was quite stressful, even if I had a comfortable lead,” says Deltrieu. “That said, I’ve done it now! This triumph is more than enough proof that we have worked really well with the team, which gives me plenty of confidence for the future, especially the 2009 Dakar. In short, it was a great rally, on a superb terrain and a fine result at the end – what more could I want?”

Slovakia’s Martin Antal, also on a Outlaw 525, grabbed the final spot on the podium, just over one hour behind the winner.

Italy’s Camelia Liparoti took home the Overall Lady win on her Outlaw 525 and finished 10th overall.