Dakar 2011

[Rod Richardson]

The Dakar - Argentine-Chile 2 to 15 January 2011.

Keep up to date on the official site http://www.dakar.com/

In Australia, SBS TV will no doubt also broadcast progress and news.

News from official site:
18-11-2010 : There’s no better coach than Despres (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art34212)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
17-11-2010 : Arcarons is back (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art34208)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
15-11-2010 : A day of training for the South Americans (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art34204)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
03-11-2010 : Reconnaissance is complete (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art34195)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
26-10-2010 : The Aussies are coming! (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art34192)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
05-10-2010 : Recon, act III: Argentina on paper (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art34180)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
04-10-2010 : Getting a step ahead with the “Dakar Training Day” (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art34177)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
30-09-2010 : Personal, Dakar title sponsor (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art34174)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
06-09-2010 : Dakar registrations full in the bike category (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art33719)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
25-08-2010 : VW: 3 for a hat-trick! (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art33633)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
09-07-2010 : The Route and the Environment (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art33536)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
29-06-2010 : Dakar World Tour – Italy (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art33529)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
25-06-2010 : Trail Hunters… (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art33522)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
23-06-2010 : Dakar World Tour - Poland (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art33517)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
09-06-2010 : Dakar World Tour - Chile (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art33499)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
27-05-2010 : Dakar World Tour - Brazil (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art33487)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
24-05-2010 : Dakar World Tour - Japan (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art33470)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
20-05-2010 : Dakar World Tour - Bulgaria (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art33466)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]
19-05-2010 : Dakar World Tour - China (http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_1-news.html#art33465)[/*:m:1m8fzcgj]

[MrMetro]

I also started a thread: http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140516

[Rod Richardson]

1 002 Cyril Despres
450 Rall 05:17:42 2 001 Marc Coma
450 Rall 05:20:17 00:02:35 3 011 Ruben Faria
450 Rall 05:23:55 00:06:13 00:01:00 4 003 Francisco Lopez Contardo
RXV 450 05:24:33 00:06:51 5 017 Paulo Goncalves
G 450 RR 05:27:10 00:09:28 6 005 David Casteu
450 Rall 05:27:43 00:10:01 7 007 Jonah Street
YZF 450 05:27:56 00:10:14 8 010 Juan Pedrero Garcia
450 Rall 05:28:32 00:10:50 9 012 Jose Helio Rodrigues Filho
G 450 RR 05:29:08 00:11:26 10 016 Frans Verhoeven
G 450 RR 05:29:48 00:12:06

[Sulland]

What do you know of the strengths and weaknesses of the different brands of 450cc Dakar bikes ?

Is KTM still the best in all areas, or are some of the others catching up ?

[Rod Richardson]

The facts are that 57 KTMs started the rally and 12 are among the top 30 as at the end of Stage 8.

By comparison, 40 Yamahas started and 8 bikes are now among the top 30

However, only 29 Hondas started the rally (just over half the number of KTMs) yet there are also 8 in the top 30 which is an admirable pro-rata result and the best of all brands of bike.

The KTM factory and heavily sponsored KTM teams obviously have the best and most experienced riders with navigation skills to match but the results would no doubt be different if the riders on other brands had similar experience and skills and the mechanical service support and access to spares that the major team riders have.

Stick Coma and Despres on a Yamaha, Honda, BMW, Aprilia or Sherco with the same level of team support and I reckon they would still be winners.

That cursed fesh-fesh dust without a cross-wind to provide clear vision puts riders starting back in the field at a distinct disadvantage therefore they cannot use their skills or have their bike perform to its potential without the risk of coming to grief.

Bottom line in my opinion is that for sure KTM's are great bikes but all things being equal, so are the other brands referred to above or for that matter, any bike capable of lasting the distance in this masochistic mayhem event that it has so far been this year.

[Rod Richardson]

Well.............the fat lady has sung

results on http://www.dakar.com/index_DAKus.html

Coma, Despres, Rodriguez..........great ride by Cody on the Honda to bring it home in 10th position.

Top 30 bikes included 11 KTMs, 8 Hondas, 6 Yamahas, 3 Aprilias and 2 BMWs. Arguably the toughest rally yet.

Best Aussie was Smith on a Honda in position 32. Pavey finished 70th on the BMW