| Team Dome BMW - Simon & Nick: 13th Jan 2005 |
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Dakar riders back on track
After an enforced sabbatical, competitors of what has become – arguably – the most fraught
Dakar Rally yet, were again battling with the elements and Africa's hostile
terrain on the 668 km
stage from Barnako to Kayes. With only four stages to go, Team DOME BMW
rider Simon
Pavey had firmly believed that the worst was over. However, what Pavey
described as the
'worst' is open to debate. The 13th official day of the event certainly
wasn't a picnic. But then, no
one promised it would be.
Wearing black scarves around their arms in respectful tribute to late colleague Fabrizio Meoni,
108 riders departed Barnako and rode straight into the black ink of an
African night. The first
liaison of 205 km was difficult enough, but the succeeding 370 km proved a literal nightmare for
some of the riders. Simon Pavey on the Team DOME BMW F650 GS ran into 'technical
difficulties' and took two hours to get back into the rally. By this time
the leading cars had passed
him, leaving a thick tunnel of sand and dust to ride through. "It
was hell," said the BMW off-road
instructor. "I couldn't see the cars coming from behind and they couldn't
see me. The dust never
dispersed and I was mentally and physically exhausted through concentration
and riding. I was
just glad to get to Kayes in one piece." Pavey finished 87th on the
day and is in 80th position
overall.
Aussie Andy Caldecotte won the stage ahead of Fretigne, Blaise and Cox. However, Cyril
Despres retains the overall lead 16 minutes ahead of Coma who is just four
minutes ahead of
South African Alfie Cox.
Pavey is optimistic he will achieve his objective of finishing another
Dakar, but concedes that
much can happen during the last three days. "All the bikes are beginning
to break down," he said,
"and the riders are exhausted. In must cases it is will power that
keeps everyone going.
Personally, I'm sure I can finish. The bike is going well and I'm in reasonably
good shape."
Day 14 from Kayes to Tambacounda is a mere 630 km of which 529 km is a
special stage. It is
almost certain that more riders will drop out. Pavey is determined not to be one of them.
Highlights of the 2005 Telefňnica Dakar Rally can be seen on Eurosport.
See your TV guide for
details. |
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