2013 Dakar Pre-Event Discussion

[RussellM]

Fish is fast, there is no doubt about that, but the problem he has, as I understand it is that he is water carrier for the other husky riders, and so needs to remain behind all of them on each stage. This has to be a frustrating position to be in for a fast guy.

[Aussie66]

Water carrier for the fast guys is the way to learn. Fish is outright fast, give him a year or two where he is and then he will surprise you.

[Jurassic]

Hatton and Pavey out testing. Looking good.

[too old]

Troy on Day 1

[DruncleWill]

Originally Posted by Brodovitch

So my money is on older, more experienced riders (again) this year for the top ten. There are some frequently overlooked names on the above list like Verhoeven, Duclos, Casteu who should not be counted out...

Wow, 3 pages since I last checked in and it took all 3 for someone to make the point I wanted to get at.

[doyle]

I'm not much in the prediction business but I'm going to go Barreda, Despres, Svitko as the top 3 in that order.

[ZequeArgentina]

After yesterday´s chat about if SS1 was run in reverse order, now it would only take to open dakar.com for confirmation!!
In the front page, a brief phrases with Claudio Cavligliasso, (number 290, last quad) were they ask him about responsibility to open road on SS1!!!

[tserts]

So, shall we start taking bets?

I say Despres will end up with a comfortable strategically earned +30m to +1h from the next guy, I say Chaleco if he finds the KTM to his liking (this will also ensure radio Maray will be a lot more fun to listen to), but really any of those guys mentioned earlier are capable of 2nd to 5th position, depending on withdrawals and navigation errors of the opposition. But I honestly don't see anyone putting pressure on CD, he will play the cards right and I say by rest day will have the cushion required in order to be cautious and methodical the last week...

I'm not a betting man, but I would put money where my mouth is for that guy... Remember that interview a couple of pages back he said that in about 95 entries in various rallies ha has finished 90 of them..

[barrier]

Current POST counter for the Pre Event thread!
Too Old has just sneaked in there ahead the recently MODified Troy.
Doyle is doing a sterling job keeping us up to date on all Media platforms and Deadly has enough info for at least another few volumes of TFTB. Keep it up guys and let's see if Too Old keeps the top step or lives up to his name.

troy safari carpente

[neduro]

Neat little video from Chaleco (en espanol):

[Evil Invader]

Can´t stop wonder how Mudboy will react to the fact Coma is out, and noone (seems) to have the speed (well...) and experience to challenge him. Will he be able to concentrate troughout the whole race or will he relax and make a mistake?
Will he ride on say 96% and keep a safe distance to next rider?
Soon we will find out.

[Dekatria]

Originally Posted by tserts

So, shall we start taking bets?

Something tells me those first few stages in the desert are going to be a massacre. I'm just hoping Peterhansel or Despres finds the short end of the stick this time

[Brodovitch]

Originally Posted by Dekatria

Something tells me those first few stages in the desert are going to be a massacre. I'm just hoping Peterhansel or Despres finds the short end of the stick this time

Massacre indeed, but more for the less experienced competitors I think. Cyril & Stephan have heaps of dune experience -riding and navigating- between themselves. I worry for the new guys. Don't wanna see anyone do a Conger or a Jonah this year

[ric678]

Ok new to following this stuff here, so if we don't talk about fellow members I apologize in advance, So seeking wisdom of the elders, How do you guys and girls think Pyndon will do??

[Brodovitch]

Originally Posted by ric678

Ok new to following this stuff here, so if we don't talk about fellow members I apologize in advance, So seeking wisdom of the elders, How do you guys and girls think Pyndon will do??

I think to finish the race in your first attempt is a victory of it's own. To flirt with the top 50 is amazing. To break the top 30 as a rookie is next to impossible without a dedicated factory or semi-factory team behind you. Botturi was top rookie last year in 8th IIRC, but he had a dedicated team behind him (BF) and has been competing enduros professionally for years, racing competitvely is his day job. Ditto Quinn in 2011 (top 10 rookie result)

I will be overjoyed if Pyndon finishes anywhere between 50th and 70th.