From another perspective, I don't have a problem with people reentering the race after DNF'ing a stage in smaller events, after all, it's a hard pill to swallow to pay the money to be there and then not ride the whole event.
Deadly, your point is well taken with regard to creating a "loose cannon"... but my observation was that the front guys aren't holding so much in reserve in any case. Perhaps they are trying to be nicer to their motor when they are in it for the win, but they aren't lollygagging about playing it safe.
IMO, Dakar is as it should be. Other events, even FIM rounds, should allow reentry to keep entries up. At best, the FIM class should not allow reentry after a DNF.
