Countdown to the Dakar start
Tonight it's that time again when the largest rally raid in the world starts. That is still the Dakar of course, but since 2009 it no longer takes place in Africa, but in South America. The kick-off will be given with a parade through the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. The Dakar will arrive there again on January 16, 9.000 kilometers later after a loop through Argentina and Chile. This edition promises to be more exciting than ever for motorcycles! The days of the heavy guns in the Dakar are over. Participants ride either a 450cc or a motorcycle that has been throttled down to 450cc. There is also a lot to look forward to from the Dutch side.
The favorites
The list of favorites is led by the defending champion Marc Coma en Cyril Despres. Both KTM factory riders, excuse supported riders as KTM has officially withdrawn. Coma and Desprès ride a limited KTM 690 machine, but the disadvantage of a higher weight compared to the real 450s is more than compensated by the advantage in reliability. Their heavier blocks will clearly be less stressed. Coma appears determined at the start: “South America is a unique opportunity to experience the rally in a different way. I would like to be there again. Especially because so far I am the only one who has won in South America. I would like to keep it that way!”
Among the challengers demands especially David Fretigne a leading role. The Yamaha rider used to occasionally beat the heavier motorcycles and 'Fretos' is more motivated than ever. We will also be looking out for the French Olivier Pain (Yamaha) and David Casteu (Sherco). Also the local hero Francisco Lopez must be capable of beautiful things on his Aprilia two-cylinder.
Henk Knuiman and co
We also find among the men who start with intake restrictions Henk Knuiman. Knuiman finished ninth last year and the pilot from Wijchen wants to do even better this year. Rider, team and equipment are ready. The same can be said of Frans Verhoeven who has high expectations with his BMW G450X prototype now that the field of participants is more evenly matched. In the Dutch delegation we find many experienced Dakar riders such as Mirjam Pol (Honda), who won the women's class last year, Richard de Groot, Marcel Snijders, Thomas de Bois and, among others, Hans-Jos Liefhebber, who also performed well in the Red Bull Knockout. got out of hand. Mirjam Pol: “I noticed during the previous edition that the rides are very varied. The same day you can encounter sand, stones, sea or just as well mountains. That may make this Dakar even more difficult than in Africa.”
A total of 12 Dutch participants will be at the start near the motorcycles. The Belgian presence is limited to Eric Palante and Ennio Cucurachi. There is also one Dutchman at the start in the Quad class, namely Gerard Wessels.
The stages of the Dakar 2010 (L= Liaison, SP= Special)
1/01 Stage 1 : Buenos Aires/Colon : L 317 km – SP 0 km – L 0 km – Total 317 km
2/01 Stage 2 : Colon/Cordoba : L 349 km – SP : 219 km – L 84 km – Total 652 km
3/01 Stage 3: Cordoba /La Rioja: L 56 km – SP: 294 km – L 276 km – Total 626 km
4/01 Stage 4 : La Rioja/Fiambala : L 259 km – SP 182 km – L 0 km – Total 441 km
5/01 Stage 5 : Fiambala/Copiaco : L 394 km – SP 203 km – L 32 km – Total 629 km
6/01 Stage 6 : Copiapo/Antofagasta : L 90 km – SP 483 km – L 97 km – Total 670 km
7/01 Stage 7 : Antofagasta/Iquique : L 180 km – SP 418 km – L 0 km – Total 598 km
8/01 Stage 8 : Iquique/Antofagasta : L 37 km – SP 600 km – L 4 km – Total 641 km
9/01 Rest day
10/01 Stage 9: Antofagasta/Copiapo: L 96 km – SP 472 km – L 0 km – 568 km
11/01 Stage 10 : Copiapo/La Serena : L 0 km – SP 338 km – L 209 km – 547 km
12/01 Stage 11: La Serena/Santiago: L 112 km – SP 238 km – L 236 km – 586 km
13/01 Stage 12: Santiago/San Juan: L 211 km – SP 220 km – L 3 km – 434 km
14/01 Stage 13: San Juan/San Rafael: L 23 km – SP 476 km – L 297 km – 796 km
15/01 Stage 14 San Rafael/Santa Rosa: L 76 km – SP 368 km – L 281 km – 725 km
16/01 Stage 15 :Santa Rosa/B. Aires: L 166 km – SP 206 km – L 335 km – 707 km
TOTAL : Liaison 2 366 km – SP 4 717 km – Liaison 1 854 km – Total 8 937 km
Photos credit: Ricardo Vasquez Hernandez/Red Bull Photofiles, A. Chaco, Equipe Knuiman, Dakar 2010
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