2013 Dakar Pre-Event Discussion

[chavo_dakar_bolivia]

Thanks for the motivation Bluebull2007 !

Below is a link to a video from Pharaons Rally I did.....
This Dakar will be very very competitive but I believe it will be a good one for me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjR7f...ature=youtu.be

Originally Posted by Bluebull2007

Deadly,your selection makes a lot of sense, except for Despres. Either he will be out or 1st or 2nd. I also think he might be out. He has been flawless four years in a row - how much longer can he keep the rubber side down at those crazy speeds.

I think Coma is not as fast as he used to be either. Certainly they have the most pressure on them, more especially Cyril, being suspicious about the No 1 and all. Bet you Marc does not agree to swap numbers like they did this year, just to screw with him. Marc's problem is he is nursing an injury, but he should still come back strongly.

Dont forget all the fast young guys who are fighting for a top 10 now in competition with the old Boys:

Zanol
Pain
Sunderland
Przygonski
West (maybe not so young but oh, so fast)
Fishy
Botturi

The more experienced boys being

Gonclaves
Svitco
Faria
Pedrero
Casteau
Viladoms
Verhoefen
Fretigne
Ullevalsetter
Czachor

Thats 18 guys (I might be missing one or two) fighting for 4-10th place, and I think its going to be the really exciting part of the 2014 Dakar.

Then there is are these guys out of AUs and South Africa who arent exactly slow and have considerable experience in their own right.

Grabham
Strange
Curtis
Van Niekerk

Also guys like Pavey and Juan Carlos Salvatierra who seem to battle with mechanicals every year and otherwise could be in the top 20 easily enough. Its one helluva strong fild, the strongest by far in years and years. I think there is going to be a bit of a shake up shake up in the top ranks in 2013, with Cyril going out on a mechanical.

So here is my prediction list:

1) Coma
2) Rodriguez
3) Barreda
4) Viladoms
5) Zanol/Chaleco {I had to edit this, I forgot about Chaleco!}
6) Faria
7) Svitco
8) Sunderland
9) Przygonski
10) Gonclaves

11) Verhoefen
12) Pedrero
13) Ullevalsetter
14) Casteu
15) Curtis
16) Pain
17) Czachor
18) Fretigne
19) Fish
20) Grabham

[SafariBerg]

Originally Posted by Bluebull2007

Coma: "Thanks, ...okay for you...but ah...I prefer women - you know?"

Damn right he does based on that super-model Peruvian honey he made off with at the Red Bull after-party in Lima back in January this year

Bloody rockstars they get all the fun....................how's it go.............."money for nothing and chicks for free"

[Deadly99]

Originally Posted by Some Dude

Quin Cody on a Beemqva!!!!!

http://www.dirtrider.com/features/mi...ember-28-2012/



Too bad he's out for this coming Dakar though!

Will be great experience riding the series on a team like speed brain. Congrats Quinn

[CPWSAFARI]

Originally Posted by troy safari carpente

+1

A real fair prospect for the "Dakar rookie" award for 2013 I reckon...

I think what will determine the final outcome for the "Dakar Rookie" will not be outright speed, but the person who brings the complete package to Dakar. Grabbo for sure has outright speed over Fishy, but has minimal experience using the full nav setup, minimal experience in the Dune environment and will lack the advantage of full factory support. Yes, he will be a part of the KTM family at Dakar - but will be a distant cousin. He will be part of a small team working out of the back of a ute.

Dakar is very much about resources that only a major team can provide and this is most evident in the second week.

Fishy has done some of the important work required to finish Dakar. Making the effort to race and experience against the best in 3 key events - Dubai/Qatar and Marocco and finishing in the top 10 in all 3. When the pressure was on in Morocco - he nailed the nav when many others didn't. He will have the support of a "full factory" team - the bike/ the parts/ the team personal/ the chase support/ the team strategic support, the benefit of knowing those in the ASO and FIM organisation - the only thing Fishy has to concentrate on is riding.

He might not get the desired individual outcome if he is called on to do what he is employed for - water boy for Barrada, but that is understood. So subject to this not happening Fishy gets my (unbiased) vote for "Top Rookie"

Fishy will be faster than Pal I believe and here Coma is thinking that as they prepare to start on the same minute in Dubai !!

[doyle]

Originally Posted by chavo_dakar_bolivia

Thanks for the motivation Bluebull2007 !

Below is a link to a video from Pharaons Rally I did.....
This Dakar will be very very competitive but I believe it will be a good one for me!

Fixed the video embed as requested.

[mxmum]

Originally Posted by troy safari carpente

"Hola... we bringin' da big guns to Dakar theese year amigo..."



"Five new guns vs. two old cannons... si...?





... I think you guys need some more guns... no?"

[troy safari carpente]

Originally Posted by mxmum

Thought you might like that one mum...

The "trash talking" amongst competitors before a big race is one of the most fun parts of any rally

Though they would never make such a comment publically (consumate proffessionals they are and all), but amongst freindly rivals I could well imagine Cyril or Marc making such a light hearted jibe to one of the other riders... especially one of the "young guns".

All in good fun... c'mon january!

[mxmum]

Originally Posted by troy safari carpente

Thought you might like that one mum...

The "trash talking" amongst competitors before a big race is one of the most fun parts of any rally

Though they would never make such a comment publically (consumate proffessionals they are and all), but amongst freindly rivals I could well imagine Cyril or Marc making such a light hearted jibe to one of the other riders... especially one of the "young guns".

All in good fun... c'mon january!

You are SO funny Troy!! Love coming on ADV to see what the latest comments are especially when passing the time of day when I should be working

I can't wait for January, half of me is super excited to see how it pans out with such a strong field this year and the other half of me is scared stiff

I really hope Sam plays it cool and just concentrates on staying safe and reaching that finish line and keep reinforcing this opinion on him, not that he takes any notice of me I am sure I am sure he will give 100% and do his best as he always has done and fingers crossed lady luck is on his side as everyone needs a bit of luck to finish the Dakar no matter how good or experienced they are

Like you said, c'mon January, can't wait

[Balkan Boy]

So... Are you his mum?

[barrier]

Originally Posted by mxmum

I can't wait for January, half of me is super excited to see how it pans out with such a strong field this year and the other half of me is scared stiff

I really hope Sam plays it cool and just concentrates on staying safe and reaching that finish line and keep reinforcing this opinion on him, not that he takes any notice of me I am sure

At least you are not called 'TTMum', that is some scary stuff!
Go SAM! A Brit on the podium 2013 and then to win it within 5 years!
Edit below, 2nd greatest show on earth!

">

[mxmum]

Originally Posted by Balkan Boy

So... Are you his mum?

I sure am and am very proud of him too but then I would be biased

[mxmum]

Originally Posted by barrier

At least you are not called 'TTMum', that is some scary stuff!
Go SAM! A Brit on the podium 2013 and then to win it within 5 years!
Edit below, 2nd greatest show on earth!

">

That sure would be fantastic and then I could be even prouder of him - go SAM

[Motodisiac]

Any word on Robby Gordon? Last I heard he was not in the list of participants ;(

D.

[Dread Pendragon]

Eurosport/Carlton introduces this year's Dakar:





And here's another video from La Havre

[Dread Pendragon]

These are actually quite good: