Dakar update; 12.01.09.
Added on Monday, January 12th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Dakar update; 12.01.09.
Today sees the Dakar competitors tackling one of the toughest stages on the event, as the riders brave the high altitude Atacama desert. The stage is 449kms long and it seems likely that not all of the remaining 136 riders in the event will make it to the end. One of the leading contenders, US racer Jonah Street retired from the event early this morning, after suffering a wrist injury.
Aussie rider Simon Pavey had a tough day yesterday, as his bike kept overheating. Pavey finished 127th and thinks the head gasket might have gone on his BMW 650 machine, but hoped his team could repair the engine overnight.
Meanwhile Honda 450 rider Mick Extance is continuing to make progress up the order, now running in 22nd place overall. Brit Extance admitted that Sunday was a physically hard stage and said his arms were feeling pretty sore. Honda rider Mirjam Pol, one of the few lady racers in the event is still hanging on in the race, despite crashing heavily on Friday.
After a rest day on Saturday, the rally is now entering its second week and some of the longest, hottest and most sandy trails await. Those who make it to Cordoba can expect a hero’s welcome, as reportedly many thousands of local Argentinian fans are already camping out there.
KTM rider Marc Coma is still in the lead by over one hour, but Cyril Despres won yesterday’s stage and is chipping away at that relatively narrow margin. Despres is currently in third place overall, but if Coma suffers any kind of mechanical problem, the experienced Despres could well take the victory.
More news later this week.
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