Wed 04 April 2012

Stage 2: Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge

Yesterday Sam showed both his and the potential of the bike. Finishing third behind Coma and Rodriguez with 2.42 min and 1.33 min in between. And we have to remember that almost all factory Dakar riders are at the starting line here. Unfortunately Sam coul not start this morning because of his foot injury sustained earlier. He is now back to Dubai again having x-rays made of his foot.

Daniel had another good day today. He came in in 16th position without any troubles. Don't forget that he is riding a rental bike wich he could not test before the rally due to the logistic problems. Daniels bike came out of the container and went straight into the rally. He is riding safely and is competing with the Dakar top.

Jeremias was not so fortunate today, he finished in 42th position, after being 19th yesterday. Until CP2 he was doing well, after that he lost his good qualification because of a broken rear wheel. Tomorrow a new day to pick up experience.

Juan Carlos had a tough start today. Literally. He arrange someone who would bring him from the hotel to the bivak this morning. But the guy didn't show up. He jumped into someone else his car and made it just in time before the start. He pushed hard during the first half of the stage and made up several positions, however he had to pay the price for it in the last very demanding dune section where he lost some time. He came in in 20th position.

Vadym delivered another outstanding achievement for him. He got into the bivak as 34th. Without any crashes or breaking his bike. But, offcourse, Vadym will always stay Vadym. and so this morning there were some confusions around him. First he lost his neck brace, after that he could not find his gloves. The gloves where found in the hotel later on, his nek brace in his car. 

Slava struggled today. He was run over by a buggy after a dune and arrived at CP3 late in the afternoon. The organization took him out because of safety reasons and dehydration risk. Tomorrow he will not start. He went to the doctor in the bivak and he has to make an x-ray of his hand/thumb tomorrow morning. If the x-ray shows no fractures he can start the day after tomorrow.

Tomorrows route, stage 3 (04-04-2010)

Road section 59 km / special 1: 168 km / road section 9 km / special 2: 178 km / road section 13 km

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