...but, who's your favorite Dakar racer? And why? I have to go with Alfie Cox. I think he's very wise and has heart...I have much respect for him.
Meoni above all. Cox for the same reasons Linzi said. Scott Harden because he's a manager, teacher, great rider and a nice guy. But Caldecott is my man. He's from a tiny town in Australia. He's worked his ass off to get where he is. He's humble. And we have almost the same last name. Go Andy!
For me it was always Meoni- His spirit was infectious and you could just see the passion he brought to what he was doing. The way he rode the 950 in years past was just incredible to see. Cyril Despres has awesome skills and is a master on the bike as well- but his nav skills have always hurt him until this year. Didn't see (couldn't, due to the SHIT coverage) where anybody had any real nav issues this year- so maybe the rally has changed to make this less of an issue. The DeRooy family on the truck side are a hoot- they're alway yelling at each other (again- none of that was shown this year... the essence of the rally was missed by the damned network). On the auto side I have to root for Luc Alphand because of his skiing background- hope he gets it one year. Gawd- this thread just made me realize how much we missed this year with the coverage we were stuck with. Where's my DAKAR, dammit???!!! :ruskie
Good list. I've got to add Pål Anders Ullevålseter, I enjoyed watching him last year (and someone related to him in some way or another was posting info about the race), plus, it's really fun to say his name. I also enjoyed watching the two new RedBull guys, Blais and Walch, they seem to be on the ball and they seem to "Get it". Can't wait until next year. It was also fun rooting for Chris Emerson (of www.dakardiary.com) last year. JC
Meoni was my hero, but I sure enjoyed following Scot, Kellon and Chris from the KTM USA team this year.
I liked Cox(the racer). He seemed like a good guy. very accomplished. I also liked the usa team, dave and charlie as well.
Meoni, Saincs and Cox have always been my favs, but now I can add Scott, Chirs and Kellon to my list For the Trucks I like the DeRoy team.
Stephan peterhansel, i got hooked on DAKAR on my first visit to S.A. back in 89' i had read & heard about DAKAR but had never really seen the true action of the race. It was highlighted every day on local TV.He always had a quiteness about himself, kind of in the shadows & had raw talent. 6 moto wins later & now the cars, skys the limit on his total before he retires. RIDE ON!
I've always been an Alfie Cox fan. He seems to really enjoy what he does, and he always seems to keep his cool and act with class. Also, P.G. Lundmark. I didn't see his name this year, but in the past he always seemed to be the privateer's privateer. Doing shockingly well on the previous year's bike while wearing a backpack full of spare parts. Now that's heart. He'd always showboat for the cameras too. You could tell he was having fun.
ok if we're counting retired/inactive then P.G. for sure. Let's not forget Jimmy Lewis or Hubert Auriol and Edi Orioli (sp). Anyone who can ride a Boxer in the desert has my vote.
Kenny Roberts was pretty fast. Ummm. I got nuttin. HIYAS Linzi! We need to get together for drinkies again, tell 'mostro I said hiyas too!
+1! I also like the Red Bull team as they all seem to "get it". But the rider/racers I like the most are the privateers who are out there doing what we all would love to try on theirown dime!
John Deacon, highest placed Brit finisher in the Dakar - 6th place in 1999. Died whilst on the Masters Rally in Syria, 2001. Meoni, the man had such passion. I remember a few years ago seeing a TV clip of him arriving at a check point after his two GPS units had both gone wrong - he was in such a rage and was slapping the GPS. So sad that he changed his mind about the '04 Dakar being his last and decided to do the '05. Richard Sainct, OK so he was French but apart from that what a great guy. Riding skills and navigation skills were spot on, another sadly no longer with us. My last remaining hero is Alfie Cox, I'm so sorry that Alfie has yet to win a Dakar. After the loss of Sainct (not on the Dakar) and Meoni this year half of me wants to see Alfie retire now - I think that if (heaven forbid) we were to loose Alfie to the Dakar as well it would have lost its magic for me. The other half of me wants to see Alfie continue to battle on and make it to the top of the podium.
Meoni was always my favorite, although P.G. Lundmark was fun to watch and embodied the Dakar privateer spirit. Shame he didn't race this year. Alfie Cox ranks way up there, PG's buddy Pal Anders Ullavalseter is entertaining. I admire the whole KTM Red Bull team for this year's accomplishments.