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French rider Richard Sainct poses near his KTM during technical checks for the Dakar rally race in Arras, northern France Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001. The race starts on Dec. 28, 2001, in Arras and is expected to arrive in Dakar, Senegal, next Jan. 13. Competitors will cross 5 countries in 14 stages.(AP Photo/Michel Spingler)