KTM Super Duke and Adventure Bikes

ClOuDrIdEr · January 5, 2006

http://www.dakar.com/2006/DAK/LIVE/galerie/100/galerie_01.jpg

http://www.dakar.com/2006/DAK/LIVE/galerie/200/galerie_04_small.jpg

José Manuel PELLICIER (ESP)

Images taken from Dakar official website

ClOuDrIdEr · January 5, 2006

DAKAR 2006: 5TH STAGE: OUARZAZATE > TAN TAN

04.01.2006

Marc Coma is Still the Leader. Cyril Despres is Approaching.

Despres (Gauloises KTM) wins the stage, and Coma (Repsol KTM) is still leading, but first of all the today’s stage has not been as difficult as announced. A long stage of more than 800 kilometres, of course, almost all run in the Adraa valley, a dry riverbed that crosses the southern Moroccan region. Only some technical passages, and many stones on the tack, but this is household in this Country. Isidre Esteve navigated almost all the morning, but the main advantage of the work of the Spaniard was taken by his Gauloises KTM team-mate Cyril Despres. At the finish Despres was first. Due to the different starting positions, Marc Coma suffered the today’s special test but is still leading the race, but his previous advantage on Cyril Despres has been reduced to one minute and a half. So from now the race will probably be characterized by this kind of alternating “train game” between his leaders. Nothing bad, because this is one of the main rules of the modern interpretation of the Rally, since navigation instruments has were introduced. Isidre Esteve is now third and apparently only he Spaniard and the Chilean Carlo De Gavardo could be able to compete for the final success with the actual leaders. The race is of course still very long, but we have to consider also that for the first time in the last few years it appears so balanced. We have to consider also that the first third of the race as been accomplished, and it has bee very demanding. From the first day in Portugalinto the southern stage of morocco it has been a very interesting battle.

Marc Coma was very calm at the finish. “When I knew the characteristics of the special test”, said the Repsol KTM champion, “I once envisaged that nothing could change today. We all rode almost all the time together, only some time trying to force a little. My main goal was to reach the finish maintaining the leadership. This morning we started very early, at four o’ clock PM, and tomorrow we will leave Tan Tan at 1:00 Am. So it was also important to preserve our energies. From tomorrow I’m sure that the race will show a completely different face. The tomorrow’s stage is a “classic” of the Dakar, and we was used to run this special test at maximum speed, instead due to the new rules we will have to take care about speed”.

Jordi Arcarons, the team manager of Repsol KTM, enter the interview suggesting an important article of reflection: “You have to consider also two more things. In the recent past this stage was run without any navigation problem. This Year you don’t have any way point to be reached directly, so you have to take care when finding the right track. Also the temperature is increasing, and this is one of the main phantoms to be watched”.

If the stage has been a little bit flat by the point of view of the fight, something unexpected occurred to the rally. Due to persistent fog in the region of Tan Tan, the small town reached today by the rally, the aerial fleet of the organization was still blocked in Ouarzazate when the competitors reached the finish of the last liaison of the day. For this reason the race has been virtually shared in two blocks for a long morning flushed by this uneasiness. No results for the press, no information and no satellite communications. “This is Africa, this is the Dakar”, said Etienne Lavigne, the headmaster of the race.

By the point of view of the pure race, the exploits of the champions are also the highlight of this tremendous challenge. To win is the main goal of the factories involved in the race, and their best riders works for it. However there is one other side of the Dakar, this one played by the men against the desert in a incredible adventure. This has been always one of the main themes of this special cast of adventure mixed with sport. The Dakaris also a long journey, or also the evolution of the ancient explorations in a modern rendering.

Each private rider plays this role in the larger context of the race. For all of them the main target is to reach the last finish line. As in a travel, they wants to bring their bikes into the Rose Lake located near Dakar, and they fight hardly for it. Private riders are often the unknown heroes that come at night, repair their bikes, heat a hasty dinner and thread into the sleeping bag. They are virtually alone against the immense difficulties of the race, but almost all of them are ready to help a momentary friend, giving him a litre of gasoline or a push him in order to start a reluctant engine. That’s the particular solidarity of the Dakar.

One of this private riders is Italian Fabrizio Mugnaioli, A 44 aged farm owner in Tuscany, Italy. We met him near the airplane that transports the metal cases, one for eachrider. There the competitors can store everything they want, the only limit is the volume of the boxes. Normally the sleeping bag and spare parts. Fabrizio is competing with an old KTM Rally Replica, a 2001 model that Fabrizio Meoni donate him. Te motorcycle is conserved as the reminder of a friend and a Champion we never be able to forget.

Rankings:

5th stage — Special: 350 km

Stage Results:

1. Despres (Gauloises KTM), 03:47:40h

2. Coma (Repsol KTM), + 03:41

3. Esteve Pujol (Gauloises KTM), + 05:18

4. Faria (KTM), + 08:14

5. De Gavardo (Repsol KTM), + 08:21

6. Caldecott (Repsol KTM), + 10:54

7. Casteu (Gauloises KTM) + 11:03

8. Ullevalseter (KTM), + 11:06

9. Sala (Repsol KTM), + 11:41

10. Fretigne (YAMAHA), + 13:01

11. Katrinak (KTM), + 16:20

12. Blais (Red Bull USAKTM), + 24:17

13. De Azevedo (KTM), + 25:14

14. Gau (Gauloises KTM), + 30:07

15. Farres Geull (YAMAHA), + 31:38

16. Grider (Red Bull USAKTM), + 31:57

17. AgraCarrera (YAMAHA), + 35:52

18. Street (KTM), + 36:41

19. Czachor (YAMAHA), + 39:16

20. Marchini (KTM), + 44:40

22. Viladoms (Repsol KTM), + 47:17

Overall Results:

1. Coma (Repsol KTM), 14:09:18h

2. Despres (Gauloises KTM), 14:10:43h, + 01:25

3. Esteve Pujol (Gauloises KTM), 14:15:46h, + 06:28

4. De Gavardo (Repsol KTM), 14:21:10h, + 11:52

6. Caldecott (Repsol KTM), 14:36:12h, + 26:54, Penalty: 02:00

5. Casteu (Gauloises KTM), 14:36:15h, + 26:57

7. Fretigne (YAMAHA), 14:41:22h, + 32:04

8. Sala (Repsol KTM), 14:49:40h, + 40:22

9. Ullevalseter (KTM), 14:51:50 h, + 42:32

10. Katrinak (KTM), 14:59:49 h, + 50:31

11. Blais (Red Bull USAKTM), 15:04:53h, + 55:35

12. Faria (KTM), 15:08:24h, +59:06, Penalty: 12:00

13. De Azevedo (KTM), 15:09:45h, + 01:00:27

14. Agra Carrera (YAMAHA), 15:15:04 h, + 01:05:46

15. Gau (Gauloises KTM), 15:15:51 h, + 01:06:33

16. Farres Guell (YAMAHA), 15:17:45 h, + 01:08:27

17. Street (KTM), 15:32:03 h, + 01:22:45

18. Amaral (KTM), 15:32:21h, + 01:23:03

19. Duclos (KTM), 15:32:35h, + 01:23:17

20. Rivera (KRM), 15:44:47h, +01:35:29

22. Grider (Red Bull USAKTM), 15:53:59h, + 01:44:41

27. Viladoms (Repsol KTM), 16:49:14h, + 02:39:56

News taken from KTM.com (Official site of KTM)

ClOuDrIdEr · January 5, 2006

http://www.ktm.com/news/images/mugnaioli.jpg

Fabrizio Mugnaioli (private rider)

Cyclop aka Sideways · January 5, 2006

Cyril Despres

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Dakar/Cyril-Despres-01.jpg

Marc Coma

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Dakar/Marc-Coma-02.jpg

Isidre Esteve

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Dakar/Isidre-Esteve-01.jpg

Chris Blais

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Dakar/Chris-Blais-01.jpg

Gio Sala

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Dakar/Gio-Sala-01.jpg

Carlo de Gavardo

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Dakar/Carlo-de-Gavardo-01.jpg

David Casteu

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Dakar/David-Casteu-01.jpg

Andy Caldecott

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Dakar/Andy-Caldecott-03.jpg

January 5, 2006

:lovestruck:

nice pics.....

ClOuDrIdEr · January 6, 2006

DAKAR 2006: 6TH STAGE: TAN TAN > ZOUÉRAT

05.01.2006

The Crash of Cyril Despres (KTM Gauloises)

Only two or three days ago we was speaking about solidarity between the competitors. We was talking about privateers, that have to count each other in order to add some more possibilities to reach Dakar. Today we had a confirmation of this particular soul inborn in the adventure of Dakar and in his protagonists. The story came directly from the head of the race. This morning, in the middle of the special test of 444 kilometre, three riders were leading, Despres, Coma and Esteve. Same track, same speed, maybe same unsteadiness: what to do in order to draw the maximum advantage from the stage? The track was fast, and navigation insignificant. The main problem was to monitoring the speed. At a moment Cyril Despres fell down. It was at kilometre 273, inan undulated terrain section of the special test. A heavy fall. Just after Marc Coma came and stopped near Despres, immediately stopping his race. Competitors suddenly switched to colleagues, then to friends. No more team partition or antagonism. Cyril was insensible, so The Repsol KTM World Champion turned on the emergency radio beacon of the last year’s winner and alerted the medical headquarter of the organization. Then also Isidre Esteve came, and the riders stayed near the luckless Gauloises KTM Team exponent until he showed he was able to continue. But from this moment they proceeded all together until the finish at reduced speed. The first news reached the bivouac of Zouerat assuming a collar bone fracture for Despres. In the meanwhile Chilean Carlo De Gavardo reached the leaders and, due to his starting position, won the special test. At the bivouac Despres was checked by the doctors: not any fracture, but the dislocation of the left collar bone. Cyril Despres has announced that he will try to take the start in the tomorrow’s stage, but the pain induced by the dislocation of his shoulder can be very loud. Of course the rider has been a hero in the last 170 kilometre of the special test.

Therefore Carlo De Gavardo won the special test just in front of his Repsol KTM team-mate Giovanni Sala, and Isidre Esteve. Norwegian Paul Ullevalseter was fourth and Coma fifth. In the standings overall the gap between Coma and Despres is now less than 4 minutes, but the today’s accident is pending on the result of the race.

The sixth stage of the Rally started very early this morning, The riders left Ta Tan at 01:40 AM and reached the border between Morocco and Mauritania only at six AM. So they had only a short hour to rest before the start of the long today’s special test. It was therefore a short yesterday’s afternoon: the competitors prepared their “luggage”, had a fast dinner and reached early their sleeping bag. The today’s stage has been full of tiredness, and the race is not finished: tomorrow the competitors will face one of the longest special test of the rally, almost all in the dunes with full of navigation and difficulties.

Rankings:

Special: 444 km

Stage Results:

1. De Gavardo (Repsol KTM), 04:00:32h

2. Sala (Repsol KTM), + 03:23

3. Esteve Pujol (Gauloises KTM), + 03:52

4. Ullevalseter (KTM), + 05:31

5. Coma (Repsol KTM), + 05:55

6. Caldecott (Repsol KTM), + 06:44

7. Despres (Gauloises KTM), +08:13

8. Fretigne (YAMAHA), + 08:19

9. Viladoms (Repsol KTM), + 10:14

10. Amaral (KTM), + 11:12

11. Grider (Red Bull USA KTM), + 11:28

12. De Azevedo (KTM), + 12:00

13. Blais (Red Bull USA KTM), + 12:31

14. Katrinak (KTM), + 12:44

15. Rivera (KTM), + 14:21

16. Duclos (KTM), + 17:40

17. Marchini (KTM), + 19:11

18. Rodrigues (YAMAHA), + 23:54

19. Farres Geull (YAMAHA), + 24:09

20. Czachor (YAMAHA), + 24:50

23. Gau (Gauloises KTM), + 28:03

25. Casteu (Gauloises KTM) + 37:09

Overall Results:

1. Coma (Repsol KTM), 18:15:45 h

2. Despres (Gauloises KTM), 18:19:28 h, + 03:43

3. Esteve Pujol (Gauloises KTM), 18:20:10 h, + 04:25

4. De Gavardo (Repsol KTM), 18:21:42 h, + 05:57

5. Caldecott (Repsol KTM), 18:43:28 h, + 27:43, Penalty: 02:00

6. Fretigne (YAMAHA), 18:50:13h, + 34:28

7. Sala (Repsol KTM), 18:53:35h, + 37:50

8. Ullevalseter (KTM), 18:57:53 h, + 42:08

9. Katrinak (KTM), 19:13:05 h, + 57:20

10. Casteu (Gauloises KTM), 19:13:56 h, + 58:11

11. Blais (Red Bull USA KTM), 19:17:56 h, + 01:02:11 h

12. De Azevedo (KTM), 19:22:17 h, + 01:06:32 h

13. Farres Guell (YAMAHA), 19:42:26h, + 01:26:41 h

14. Agra Carrera (YAMAHA), 19:43:38 h, + 01:27:53 h

15. Amaral (KTM), 19:44:05 h, + 01:28:20 h

16. Gau (Gauloises KTM), 19:44:26 h, + 01:28:41 h

17. Duclos (KTM), 19:50:47 h, + 01:35:02 h

18. Faria (KTM), 19:52:07 h, + 01:36:22 h, Penalty: 12:00

19. Rivera (KRM), 19:59:40 h, +01:43:55 h

20. Grider (Red Bull USA KTM), 20:05:59 h, + 01:50:14 h

23. Viladoms (Repsol KTM), 21:00:00 h, + 02:44:15 h

ClOuDrIdEr · January 6, 2006

Yamaha in Action: For the Yammy Fans

http://www.dakar.com/2006/DAK/LIVE/galerie/300/galerie_04.jpg

012 - David FRETIGNE (FRA) & 009 - Chris BLAIS (USA)

Image taken from http://www.dakar.com, official site of Dakar race.

Cyclop aka Sideways · January 6, 2006

Originally posted by ClOuDrIdEr@Jan 6 2006, 08:58 AM
Yamaha in Action: For the Yammy Fans

http://www.dakar.com/2006/DAK/LIVE/galerie/300/galerie_04.jpg

012 - David FRETIGNE (FRA) & 009 - Chris BLAIS (USA)

Image taken from http://www.dakar.com, official site of Dakar race.

Don't think thats a 9. Chris rides for Hong Nui Kuo Teow Mian

vfr-shah · January 6, 2006

Originally posted by Cyclop aka "Sideways!&q@Jan 6 2006, 02:47 PM
Don't think thats a 9. Chris rides for Hong Nui Kuo Teow Mian

Agreed. Chris is a KTM rider...

Cyclop aka Sideways · January 6, 2006

Originally posted by bomerman81@Jan 6 2006, 12:07 AM
:lovestruck:

nice pics.....

Here's more:

http://www.politiken.dk/images/06/01/04/0601041255092801_2e985f94.jpg

http://www.politiken.dk/images/06/01/04/0601041304583741_de92e5a2.jpg

http://www.politiken.dk/images/06/01/04/0601041258147535_1ba4757a.jpg

http://www.politiken.dk/images/06/01/04/0601041254536810_72cacdc6.jpg

http://www.politiken.dk/images/06/01/04/0601041254513235_fc7629d2.jpg

And plenty more:

Click Here

Knock yourself out Bro http://www.maximumbikes.com/forums/images/smilies/dribble.gif

Cyclop aka Sideways · January 6, 2006

950, sunset, quiet contemplation.....

http://antware.smugmug.com/photos/50840340-L.jpg

thats as good as it gets http://www.maximumbikes.com/forums/images/smilies/beerchug.gif

Cyclop aka Sideways · January 6, 2006

Originally posted by ClOuDrIdEr@Jan 6 2006, 08:54 AM
DAKAR 2006: 6TH STAGE: TAN TAN > ZOUÉRAT

05.01.2006

The Crash of Cyril Despres (KTM Gauloises)

http://www.onewheeldrive.net/images/stories/2006/DakarCentral/Stage6/cyril_despres_down.jpg

"Falling is part of the game, you have to accept it. If you don’t it means that you think you are stronger than the desert. And if you think, it is even not worth taking the start of the race."

- Cyril Despres

http://raid.racing-live.com/photos/2006/dakar/diapo_238.jpg

Damaged bike, dislocated collar bone, still Flying !!!!! http://www.advrider.com/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif

January 6, 2006

:lovestruck:

SDR · January 7, 2006

After seeing those pictures, who can resist a KTM?

Beautiful pictures...

Cyclop aka Sideways · January 7, 2006

For Dakar fans,

I came across this site which host the diary of one Canadian named Bob Bergman who did the 2004/5 Dakar as a privateer and unsupported.

Excellent reading for anyone who wants to have an insight into this most special of event.

Enjoy.

Bob Bergman's Dakar Diary - Click Here

ClOuDrIdEr · January 7, 2006

Originally posted by Cyclop aka "Sideways!&q@Jan 6 2006, 02:47 PM
Don't think thats a 9. Chris rides for Hong Nui Kuo Teow Mian

Well spotted guys. The Bike beside 12 is other numbers instead

ClOuDrIdEr · January 7, 2006

Originally posted by Cyclop aka "Sideways!&q@Jan 7 2006, 02:01 AM
http://www.onewheeldrive.net/images/stories/2006/DakarCentral/Stage6/cyril_despres_down.jpg

"Falling is part of the game, you have to accept it. If you don’t it means that you think you are stronger than the desert. And if you think, it is even not worth taking the start of the race."
- Cyril Despres

http://raid.racing-live.com/photos/2006/dakar/diapo_238.jpg

Damaged bike, dislocated collar bone, still Flying !!!!! http://www.advrider.com/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif

You are right, tough guy indeed.

ClOuDrIdEr · January 7, 2006

DAKAR 2006: 7TH STAGE: ZOUÉRAT > ATAR

06.01.2006

The Bird is Still Flying

Cyril Despres started the today’s stage, although with a heavy taped shoulder. The KTM Gauloises last year’s winner of the Dakar has put in all his courage and temper in this race. Despres also took the start of the special test of 499 kilometres, one of the longest of the race, and maybe one of the most difficult. Protected by his team-mate Michel Gau, the irreducible Frenchman gritted facing intolerable pain and proceeded with the leading group. Despres pushed himself beyond the pain and crossed the dunes of the first very hard off piste section. At kilometer 257 he was signalled as stopped, but not defeated by yesterday’s injury. But he only reduced his speed in order to check the situation. The story is not finished. Despres regained some positions, and at the CP2 the delay of the French champion was less than 20 minutes, and only 30 at the finish. Without any doubt an exceptional exploit. His finish result is far from his possibilities, but the blue bird, even if one of his wings is broken, is still flying.

Carlo De Gavardo, yesterday’s winner of the special, started last because of the reversed starting order and open the track. Despite this the Chilean was still leading at the first check point then at the second of the today’s special test. In the finals section of the special test the “Condor of Welken” pushed in order to reduce his disadvantage from Marc Coma, and also fell coming down from a dune, but the finish was almost reached, and also the second consecutive victory of the Repsol KTM Factory Team Rider.

The third side of the today’s stage has been the race for the lead, the Repsol KTM Team sponsored Marc Coma started this Dakar with the potential for a strong duel with his main rival, Cyril Despres. For this reason his tactics was first to stay very concentrated with the aim of not to make any mistakes. As usual, every rider has his special characteristics, and the best way to take advantage of this is to wait for the right day to attack. Yesterday’s stage perhaps was one of them, but the obligatory speed limit troubled the intentions of the Spaniard. Then the accident of Despres changed the “geography” of the possibilities. Coma perfectly managed his resources, and also one of the most regular: no mistakes, no penalties, no falls. Simply he was waiting for the best moment to attack. As of today, he is still waiting. His second place in today’s special test gives him more of an advantage in the stages to come.

For instance, Atar, the seventh stage of the race, was completed for the Repsol KTM Team by the third place of Giovanni Sala. The Italian is now 5th overall.

Two spectacular accidents occurred to two top riders: David Fretigné and the American Andy Grider. No serious consequences, but for the promising American of the Red Bull KTM Team his Dakar has finished on the helicopter of the organizers.

Double trouble. A private rider must accomplish many things in order to find the solution of the difficult puzzle of the Dakar. For a factory rider, for a favourite, the most difficult is to stay always at the top and to make decisions in a split moment. Both private and official riders have heavy jobs. But which job is the heaviest in a race such as the Dakar rallye? Perhaps we can help you to find this answer. Take a look at the job of a riders mechanic. One never knows if the mechanic ever slept during the night or not. Then they depart silently for the next stage in military fashion. The most difficult is to find the starting point of the their day. In a chasing order they must attend all of the daily motorcycle controls, and repairs if something is broken. Then they have to re-organize the assistance truck in order to reach the following stage, of course when all other people are sleeping, the mechanics are still working. They eat something, always quickly, then they thread into their sleeping bag for no more than two or three hours, with an early wake-up pending. The last control of the bike, then their rider, they warm up of the engine, and give the last advice to the leaving competitor. Finally they can have a singular rest: the ceremony of the cleaning their hands. A long reflexive operation, which adds balance to the thier day. But their truck is also warming-up, and the thumping of a running engine seems to claim their attention. Ok, we can go…

Rankings :

Special: 499 km

Stage Results:

1. De Gavardo (Repsol KTM), 06:28:11h

2. Coma (Repsol KTM), + 01:27

3. Sala (Repsol KTM), + 02:00

4. Esteve Pujol (Gauloises KTM), + 04:29

5. Ullevalseter (KTM), + 13:56

6. De Azevedo (KTM), + 17:12

7. Caldecott (Repsol KTM), + 20:28

8. Fretigne (YAMAHA), + 23:12

9. Despres (Gauloises KTM), +30:23

10. Bethys (HONDA), + 32:29

11. Casteu (Gauloises KTM) + 32:34

12. Blais (Red Bull USAKTM), + 33:41

13. Farres Geull (YAMAHA), + 34:37

14. Czachor (YAMAHA), + 36:29

15. Katrinak (KTM), + 36:38

16. Rodrigues (YAMAHA), + 37:30

17. Vinters (KTM), + 40:20

18. Knuiman (YAMAHA), + 40:29

19. Stanovnik (KTM), + 40:47

20. Street (KTM), +46:45

22. Gau (Gauloises KTM), + 47:22

Overall Results:

1. Coma (Repsol KTM), 24:45:23 h

2. De Gavardo (Repsol KTM), 24:49:53 h, + 04:30

3. Esteve Pujol (Gauloises KTM), 24:52:50h, + 07:27

4. Despres (Gauloises KTM), 25:18:02h, + 32:39

5. Sala (Repsol KTM), 25:23:46 h, + 38:23

6. Caldecott (Repsol KTM), 25:32:07 h, + 46:44, Penalty: 02:00

7. Ullevalseter (KTM), 25:40:00 h, + 54:37

8. Fretigne (YAMAHA), 25:41:36 h, + 56:13

9. De Azevedo (KTM), 26:07:40 h, + 01:22:17 h

10. Casteu (Gauloises KTM), 26:14:41 h, + 01:29:18 h

11. Katrinak (KTM), 19:13:05h, + 57:20

12. Blais (Red Bull USA KTM), 19:17:56 h, + 01:02:11 h

13. Gau (Gauloises KTM), 26:59:59 h, + 02:14:36 h

14. Duclos (KTM), 27:05:50 h, + 02:20:27 h

15. Farres Guell (YAMAHA), 19:42:26h, + 01:26:41 h

16. Czachor (YAMAHA), 27:20:12 h, +02:34:49 h

17. Street (KTM), 28:13:06, + 03:27:43

18. Stanovnik (KTM), 28:13:28 h, + 03:28:05 h

19. Knuiman (YAMAHA), 28:14:23 h, + 03:29:00 h

20. Bethys (HONDA), 28:25:56 h, + 03:40:33 h

ClOuDrIdEr · January 8, 2006

http://www.ktm.com/news/images/07-01-blais.pg.jpg

Chris Blais

Yellow Yellow... dirty fellow.. Image too small to verify...

ClOuDrIdEr · January 8, 2006

DAKAR 2006: 8TH STAGE: ATAR > NOUAKCHOTT

07.01.2006

The Dark Side of The Moon

For the 7th stage the competitors left Tan Tan very early in the morning. Around 02:00 PM the first riders were at the bivouac of Atar. But the stage was not ended. At midnight about 50 pilots were still in the desert, most of them almost sure they could spent the night far from the bivouac. Some of them decided to stop and to sleep a short, cold and troubled night. Some others proceeded very slowly. Many of all sentenced to the withdrawal. For all the night, time by time, a headlight coming from the dark announced the arrival of a pilot. The organizers decided to let the last riders leave for the next stage, after a medical check-up. Should they reach the bivouac at Nouackchott? And if, should they have the time to enjoy this area devastated by a sandstorm?

In the meanwhile the today’s special test was running, Esteve, Coma, Sala and De Gavardo leading the group. The quartet proceeded in a lapse of no more than seven minutes until the first check point. Then, in the following sandy section, suddenly the drama. The fours leaders had some problem of navigating when looking for a secret waypoint in the dune crossing section, and Cyril Despres, the yesterday’s clipped wings blue bird, spread his wings again: “ I was absolutely not sure a was able to conduit, and I don’t wanted to assume any medicament this morning. I wanted to have the real feeling and I rode relaxed. The way was not so easy, but…”. Cyril Despres passed at CP2 for first, with seven minutes of advantage on Esteve. It was a tremendous, proud act of self-propulsion.

In the last hundred kilometres David Casteu took the maximum advantage from the renewed situation and finally won his first special test of the Dakar, just in front of the admirable American Chris Blais. Then Cyril Despres and Isidre Esteve.

“I have to thanks Cyril Despres”, said Casteu at the finish”, he is a master in navigation. I only had to follow him, and learn. At the finish I thought for a long time this was the area where last year we have lost Fabrizio Meoni, and I dedicated him my first victory, I am sure he is watching us and he is also happy for my today’s success”.

A stage as an adrenalin injection for Marc Coma, that finished only at 5th position. But for the Spaniard the daily goal was only to control the situation and, in order to do this, obviously the better thing was to follow as a shadow Isidre Esteve. To get lost is always disappointing, but in this outlier it was also less frustrating: all together they made the same mistake, and Coma was liable to follow this rival. At the end the only risk was if they got lost for more than a half a hour, and for the moment the situation of the Repsol KTM Team leader can be considered under control.

Marc Coma is still leading with a certain comfort. Now the priority of the Repsol KTM Team-mate is to protect the advantage he took in the first half of the race. Certainly, Cyril Despres gave him a kind of“support”, also if he seems to be able to re-enter himself in the fight for the final success. This is the life in a race like the Dakar: even if you need a slice of fortune, you are the only builder of your final result, and you have to make any effort in order to reach the target. Also when a rival withdraws, your job is less hard, but it remains very complex because one other competitor can challenge you. If a strong rival has a problem and loose time, you have to doubt you are certain until the last finish line.

If someone of you is now thinking that the Dakar 2006 could be less interesting, please walk in the bivouac with us. It is 01:00 AM, the riders are sleeping, a team manager is checking if his human and mechanical “material” sleeps well, one more time before to crawl in the sleeping bag. All is ok: “Until I feel strained the race will be very interesting” , says Jordi Arcarons, a smoking tea mug in his hands, “And I still feel thinly under pressure. The game is not over, and the race not ended yet. Marc is now simply in a very good position, and shows a great talent, but he knows that he have to maintain his self control until the end. He knows his job, but the level of the tension is however very high”.

Above the parts and the Teams is Hans Trunkenpolz, the “General Officer” of the KTM Army, more than the 60% of all the competitors: “For me the race is always very interesting. During so many years, every time I loved this special taste of the victory, but one kind of feeling has become more and more intransigent: this one coming from the safety of the riders. Each day I feel good when a KTM rider wins a stage, but I finally feel completely comfortable only when the last rider has reached the bivouac without any accident”.

Now finally the rest day. 24 hours of détente. Then the race will restart on Monday, compass to Kiffa.

Rankings :

Special: 508 km

Stage Results:

1. Casteu (Gauloises KTM), 05:55:55h

2. Blais (Red Bull USAKTM), + 02:13

3. Despres (Gauloises KTM), +02:17

4. Esteve Pujol (Gauloises KTM), + 06:58

5. Coma (Repsol KTM), + 08:02

6. Caldecott (Repsol KTM), + 08:47

7. Rodrigues (YAMAHA), + 09:51

8. Vinters (KTM), + 11:24

9. Viladoms (Repsol KTM), + 12:16

10. De Azevedo (KTM), + 13:52

11. Sala (Repsol KTM), + 14:07

12. De Gavardo (Repsol KTM), + 15:21

13. Bethys (HONDA), + 16:24

14. Ullevalseter (KTM), + 25:38

15. Duclos (KTM), + 30:33

16. Meillat (HONDA), + 45:03

17.Piroud (YAMAHA). + 48:06

18. Rivera (KTM), + 49:44

19. Stanovnik (KTM), + 52:15

20. Gau (Gauloises KTM), + 54:07

Overall Results

1. Coma (Repsol KTM), 30:49:20 h

http://www.ktm.com/news/images/07-01-coma.jpg

2. Esteve Pujol (Gauloises KTM), 30:55:43 h, + 06:23

3. De Gavardo (Repsol KTM), 31:01:09 h, + 11:49

http://www.ktm.com/news/images/07-01-carlo.jpg

4. Despres (Gauloises KTM), 31:16:14 h, + 26:54

http://www.ktm.com/news/images/07-01-06-cyril.jpg

5. Sala (Repsol KTM), 31:33:48 h, + 44:28

http://www.ktm.com/news/images/07-01-sala.pg.jpg

6. Caldecott (Repsol KTM), 31:36:49 h, + 47:29, Penalty: 02:00

7. Ullevalseter (KTM), 32:01:33 h, + 01:12:13 h

8. Casteu (Gauloises KTM), 32:10:36 h, + 01:21:16 h

9. De Azevedo (KTM), 32:17:27 h, + 01:28:07 h

10. Blais (Red Bull USAKTM), 32:17:56 h, + 01:28:36 h

11. Duclos (KTM), 33:32:18 h, + 02:42:58 h

12. Gau (Gauloises KTM), 33:50:01 h, + 03:00:41 h

13. Czachor (YAMAHA), 34:14:30 h, +03:25:10 h

14. Bethys (HONDA), 34:38:15 h, +03:48:55 h

15. Rodrigues (YAMAHA), 34:40:54 h, + 03:51:34 h

16. Marchini (YAMAHA), 34:41:55 h, + 03:52:35 h

17. Stanovnik (KTM), 35:01:38 h, 04:12:18h

18. Vinters (KTM), 35:15:27 h, 04:26:07h

19. Viladoms (Repsol KTM), 37:10:18 h, + 06:20:58h

20. Piroud (YAMAHA), 37:23:22 h, 06:34:02

News and images taken from KTM.COM

Cyclop aka Sideways · January 8, 2006

Originally posted by ClOuDrIdEr@Jan 8 2006, 02:00 PM
http://www.ktm.com/news/images/07-01-blais.pg.jpg
Chris Blais

Yellow Yellow... dirty fellow.. Image too small to verify...

Here you go, bigger ones.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Dakar/10220_45dd340bd465d6_m.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Dakar/10211_f9c05c743c3c33_m.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Dakar/10210_3cdbc098d3bbff_m.jpg

Description: 2006, chris, blais, factory, rider, 660, rally, team, red, bull, usa, ktm, dakar, startnumber, 9

Short Info: Chris Blais, # 9

Date: 2005-12-15

Copyright: Copyright free when mentioning photographer

Photographer: H. Peuker

ClOuDrIdEr · January 8, 2006

Originally posted by Cyclop aka "Sideways!&q@Jan 8 2006, 04:47 PM
Here you go, bigger ones.

Description: 2006, chris, blais, factory, rider, 660, rally, team, red, bull, usa, ktm, dakar, startnumber, 9
Short Info: Chris Blais, # 9
Date: 2005-12-15
Copyright: Copyright free when mentioning photographer
Photographer: H. Peuker

Thanks! I don't have to use a magnifying glass anymore .. kekeke..

ClOuDrIdEr · January 8, 2006

Hi Guys

I found two Baraclava that I think is suitable for our climate. Came across few thermal one which could be too hot to wear. Dupoint coolmax might be a better buy because it polyester and more lasting too. Price is in pound and conversion rate is S2.90 to GBP 1 but subject to change. Also note that price not inclusive of freight charges yet.

Vanucci CoolMax Storm Balaclava

Price from: £9.95

• DuPont CoolMax dryness

• Summer and Winter performance

Quick View

CoolMax material wicks moisture away from the skin, which makes this item an all-year-round performer.

The Techy Stuff

CoolMax Polyester

One size

http://www.getgeared.co.uk/acatalog/20011040_PU.jpg

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Louis Silk Storm Balaclava

Price from: £4.95

• 100% silk

• Unbelievable value

Quick View

Nature's answer to performance and warmth. Made from 100% silk it warms and stays in shape.

The Techy Stuff

Silk

One size

http://www.getgeared.co.uk/acatalog/20011010_PU.jpg

Cyclop aka Sideways · January 9, 2006

Originally posted by ClOuDrIdEr@Jan 8 2006, 09:11 PM
Hi Guys

I found two Baraclava that I think is suitable for our climate........

Yo Shogun CloudRider,

I see that you're on a Ninja Recruitment drive........... kekekeke

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Bike%20Tour/DSC00036.jpg

The elusive Ninja Rider strikes again http://www.advrider.com/forums/images/smilies/rayof.gif

GSGabes · January 9, 2006

Originally posted by Cyclop aka "Sideways!&q@Jan 9 2006, 09:14 AM
Yo Shogun CloudRider,
I see that you're on a Ninja Recruitment drive........... kekekeke

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/KohTL/Bike%20Tour/DSC00036.jpg

The elusive Ninja Rider strikes again http://www.advrider.com/forums/images/smilies/rayof.gif

Damn who the hell is that??? wahahha....

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