You are looking at 1 & 2, all things being equal. Yamaha are more than due with Rod and Shane. Bring on Safari.
I think you've about covered it Sylvia... Todd, Jake, Rod or Shane (in that order is prolly how I'd pick 'em). The # 1 plate will mpost likely fall to one of these four from either the GHR Honda team or The Yamaha Desert team. Matt Fish on the KTM is also a solid top three contender... but i note he is not on the CPW squad?
Oh yeh, bit like Pricey,,,,, proved so much but just maybe should give it away NOW,,,,, one of our greats ,wish him well
I wanted to introduce myself as the lone american privateer in moto. My family and i are really excited to have this oppurtunity in such a great country. Its our second time there but first to perth. it is going to be great adventure to share with my wife, 10 month old daughter, and mother and father in laws. Thank you for allowing us to race in your country and looking forward to meeting some really good people. Also the Australiasia Safari hq personnel have done a heck of a job, thank you for the rally. Please come by and find us at the safari show or anytime really. if you have the time please look us up on our facebook page skidrow racing, cheers ryan and family.
Shane Diener for the Dakar Challenge win? Might need to do some fund raising here in SA to get him there in January....
Looking forward to the Safari and your pics Sylvia. You're right about the placings I think, I would be surprised if the Smith boys are not on top again this year. Any chance you could get some close ups of Todd and Jakes bikes ? Not too close up I'm just interested to see if they are running the longer swing arm for Safari and the general overall build. I love the Hondas and mine are starting to look very similar Cheers Neil
I hope he doesn't mind me mentioning this but Hein Eigenhuis, no 39 Team Moruya is an inmate here, worth keeping an eye on. http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/story/1756483/hein-heads-west-for-australasian-safari/?cs=228 I wish him well, he's a hell of a good rider and a bloody nice bloke too dave
Howdi Ryan, Hope you have a great experience with the 2013 Australasian Safari. You will be warmly welcomed by all I am sure.
There is a lot of water to get under that bridge yet. Lots to go wrong, lots of dramas to overcome. Day day 3/4 it will be someones to loose. Really hope Shane has a good Safari. He's overdue as is Rod. Yep, pretty much as I see it Troy, There are some very fast riders in there, Lee comes to mind, his nav experience is lacking but he can peddle pretty quick. I'm expecting the usual suspects however. The first couple of days will be very tactical rest assured. Speaking of getting that #1 plate, Todd is pretty keen to get it..
I've always admired how these two push each other to another level... brothers first and foremost, but tough competitors and rivals a close second. They will be hard to topple... their one/two finish at Finke has to be a confidence inspiring aspect to take into the Safari. That said, Rod F has some good momentum from his overall results in the West Australian Tri-Desert series... And the longtime benchmark of Oz Desert fastness - Grabbo - is not on the list for this years Safari... So...
Just seen on Facebook 4 wheel (quad) Dakar Hero Paul Smith, having a go on 2 wheels at this years Safari has refractured his pelvis broken at Condo in a little lay down earlier today.....