Dakar 2013 - Official Event Coverage - thank you ALL TeamF5, lurkers and posters!

[knybanjo]

Chaleco lost time being lost?

[finbarr]

Carlton apologising for the snooker!
He must be getting some grief on twitter.

[Drif10]

Originally Posted by Flood

Cheleco on why he lost time at the end of the stage:"Nav was very hard at the end, I had trouble finding some WPs."

And that's when Kurt was leading.

Oh yeah, KTM boss is gonna love hearing that.

[knybanjo]

I'm off to lunch....see ya later for Snewkahpockalips!!

[Drif10]

Originally Posted by knybanjo

Chaleco lost time being lost?

Aprilia?

[K2vodka]

Pal is obviously a great guy with a ton of experience. He knew to give the guy a once over before continuing on.

With the adrenaline pumping it is often hard to self access. I know I always check my extremities one by one to make sure they are in proper working order after a wicked get off. Then again, I've heard of guys trying to stand up with an obviously broken leg and not knowing it until the fall down. Or the story of the guy that knew it was a bad crash when he saw the leg by his head was his (femur broke). He didn't initially feel it.

Originally Posted by practicalshooter

From PAU's FB. Google translated.

Pål Anders Ullevålseter was number 27 on the current 11 stage of the Dakar Rally, and fell to 20 overall.
Special stage of 220 kilometers had started in La Rioja and finish in Fiambala.

The winner of today's stage was Kurt Caselli from the U.S. at the time 2:55:01 and he beat the Norwegian by 47 minutes and 4 seconds. Ullevålseter is now at 20 in the overall - 2:50:31 behind overall leader Cyril Despres of France.

Pål Anders has this to say about today's stage:

- Another heavy day (starting to get tired of saying it, but it is unfortunately true) and not really much else to say about either driving or equipment. Struggling to start as far back as I do because of the dust. Sand and dirt in your face all the way and it's almost impossible to advance past the lies ahead. The sooner you start now, the easier it is to keep your place.

Had also a situation today where a rider with start number 102 (?), Crashed right in front of me. I slowed down to see what happened to him, but he was lying. I turned for help and when I came away I saw that his leg was broken and he was in shock. We have a "red button" that each of motorcyclists can press if you need assistance helicopter, so I helped him push this to get help. Several others just drove past without caring at all, so it's pretty raw and brutal also on human plan here sometimes. I hope I get in. I took the loss for this episode, but it is thus not important.

[Balkan Boy]

Originally Posted by Deadly99

With 2 stage wins in his rookie year....ya I think its a pretty safe bet he'll be returning

Is he, strictly speaking, a rookie with a pro career and a top team? More like a Dakar virgin.
He should come back next year with or without KTM.

[dox]

Originally Posted by finbarr

Carlton apologising for the snooker!
He must be getting some grief on twitter.

Apparently

Addressing the fans to wait it out through the sn**ker and "Be brave, we'll have a great show for you tonight."

[Drif10]

Somebody post that on carlton's feed.

PLease.

[troy safari carpente]

Carlton with big "wraps" on Caselli... "You are looking at a future winner of the Dakar..."

For sure a great compliment for a truly extraordinary talented rider, who is doing an excellent job in his rookie outing (KTM made a good choice for their replacement of Coma).

Just a grain of salt for all the euphoria though... regards Kurts "opening of the road" and the CAP navigation....

Normally in the Fiambala dunes and surrounding terrain (when dry) there is next to no visual track/wheel tracks to follow... even until the first maybe 20 bikes pass... from some of the (admittedly limited) footage shown on ES tonight, it seems that even the early nmbers (moto's) had some form of wheeltracks as a prompt... could this be the course check crew (24 hours before), or even left over imprint from last years stage (I did read somewhere they would use same stage for the moto course?).

Regardless, Kurt did a great job out front (it was same conditions for all), I am just pointing out that the "student" is not the "master" till he can track a CAP over virgin dunes at Coma/Despres pace - something that possibly only Helder and Barreda have in their reportoire at this point in time...? but to Caselli's credit (the on air interview he did with Adelaide) he seem's to have the humility, confidence and ability... that one day soon (with a few more rallies under the belt) that he WILL have!

If he takes the "rookie" title this year... it is well deserved!

[zenjen]

Originally Posted by cyborg

KURT Rocks Stage 11 !!!

2 Stage wins for a Dakar rookie. Is that a new record?

Amazing!

Not only a Dakar rookie, but a "Rallye Rookie" as well.

[Flanny]

Originally Posted by finbarr

[IMG]

Despres in the interview "You have to be so careful in the rio's - you know I have very bad memories of them"

Too bad that dry french humour doesn't come across..that was a funny dig at himself

[Flood]

Originally Posted by Drif10

Somebody post that on carlton's feed.

PLease.

What? The Aprilia insert? Already done.

[Iron Horse]

Originally Posted by Drif10

Aprilia?

THey had Nasser driving a Hummer as well.

[Pantah]

Originally Posted by Balkan Boy

Is he, strictly speaking, a rookie with a pro career and a top team? More like a Dakar virgin.
He should come back next year with or without KTM.

He's been a career KTM factory rider since a teeny. Pretty sure that part won't change.