PARIS, Jan 4 (Reuter) - Favourites led the way into the Dakar-Agades-Dakar rally which started without veteran Belgian driver Jacky Ickx on Saturday.
Three Mitsubishi, led by Frenchman Jean-Pierre Fontenay, took the top three spots in the 587-kms first stage which led the caravan through Senegal from Dakar to Tambacounda.
But Ickx, a regular of the race since it was launched in 1979, had to give up before the start because of a virus which has been hampering his career for months.
``I thought I was strong enough to start but I felt the same symptoms as in the past,'' said the former Formula One driver, who was to start the rally with his daughter Vanina.
In his absence, Mitsubishi, by far the strongest team in an event which has tried this year to return to its amateur roots by leaving out official squads, were untouchable.
Fontenay led compatriot Bruno Saby and Japan's Kenjiro Shinozuka in the 275-km timed section.
In the motorcycle section, four times winner Stpehane Peterhansel, riding a Yamaha, confirmed he would again be hard to beat by winning the stage in impressive fashion.
Some of his leading rivals, such as Spain's Jordi Arcarons, American Danny Laporte of Frenchman Thierry Magnaldi, found it harder to adapt to the new roadbook and lost more than 10 minutes trying to find their way back on the right track.
Sunday's 594-kms second stage takes the race to Kayes in Mali.
