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Thursday, January 8th, 2009 |
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Posted 10:36:58 Filed under Dakar Race Honda
Author: Honda Press Release | Location: Normandy, France
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Via: Honda Dakar
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Stage 5 neutralized, but where is Vadim Pritulyak?
After a tough fourth day only 150 of the original 270 bikes and quads could continue their race. And even less will have survived the fifth day. What was feared from the fifth stage turned out to be true, as again for many is was a struggle to finish today. After a very fast first part of the stage the terrain and the navigation changes. Only after the second tankstop this changed, as the last kilometers were very tough. Frans Verhoeven, who has fought back from 18th to place 4 in the general rankings expected this kind of ending for the amateur teams when he arrived in the bivac at night. "It was a nice stager, but it will be a struggle to finish for everyone!"
As we write all members of Dakasport / Team Honda Europe have reached the bivac, exept for Vadim Pritulyak! The last 20 kilometers were the hardest part, throught difficult sand dunes. We hope our Kazach manages to get through and find the bivac. Today also the first Bowler Nemesis has broken down, with Tim and Tom Coronel out of the race. Due to the neutralization, they did get a starting time for the sixth stage though..
Mick Extance was the best rider of the team, with a 21th ranking in this special, making him 24th overall. Mick duelled with Watts today, making it into a race. "In the dunes we rode full speed, and after I jumped over a dune I did not dare to look back. Luckily I didn't have too much other adventures today".
 Jurgen van den Goorbergh © Honda |
Jurgen van den Goorbergh rode his best special so far, ranking 32th place! He had a fright when a big white horse suddenly decided to cross the tracks. "I was riding 130 kmh and almost hit it! Somewhere in the mountians it was, and I could not believe it. The first part of the special didn't work for me. The front suspension couldn't cope, but after I'd found out what was wrong I managed to fix it and could ride with more confidence. At the last part of the stage we follwoed a riverbed, and Gordon passed me in his Hummer at full speed. What sight, and I was first row!" Also for Jurgen the last part of the race was tough, but he was happy to get through. "The dunes in the last 20 km were reallly steep, the sand a bit harder then what I've seen in Morocco. The tip of the dunes was softer, loose sand. Today I did everything myself, the riding, navigation. Luckily today all the bits fell together."
Christoper Jarmuz, 33th in the special and 32th overall. "The first 250 km were fast with a lot of curves and stones. Exactly what I prefer. I managed to overtake about 15 others there. Afther cp2 it became tough, and after 440km the dunes started. I had to go back several times to make more speed and reach the top of the dunes. There, I also managed to overtake some bikes and cars. And of course I tried to overtake Mick, but he was too fast for me today!"
 Mirjam Pol © Honda |
Mirjam Pol wasn't too happy after the special. "It is no fun riding these Pampa bushes and the loose sand. After cp1 I rode with Evert Kroon and Gerard Rond. When we left the riverbed, I almost kick Evert off his bike. At my side of the riverbed was big overhanging branch which I hit and I moved to the right - exactly where he was riding! Luckily he managed to keep clear. The first 10 km in the dunes were easy. Everywhere you could see bikes and stranded competitors though. The last part was really difficult, I had to work hard. The first cars passed me and I has to find another route. Then I managed to park my bike in the loose sand, almost at the top of a dune. The front wheel was over the dune, but the engine wasn't, and the bike was stuck. I didn't want to go back so with a lot of digging and hard work I managed to get it out and over the top of the dune. Also, I saw Annie Seel at the side of the road today. I would like to know what happend to her as well."
Kees Koolen had to deal with the thunderstorm during the last part of the route, and was soaking wet. "For a large part of the route, I could not drive over 50kmh due to the dust. It was crazy, and I thought "what am I doing here?". Of course you go on, and in the second part of the race it became more fun and I could overtake some of the people that passed me earlier that day."
 © Honda |
The latest news is that stage 5 is neutralized. That would mean for Vadim that when he reaches the bivac he can start tomorrow. The special of tomorrow is shortened, with a finish at cp2. Due to the rain a part of the route has become too tough, and ASO need more time to regroup all the competitors. Bikes start one hour later than planned.
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| Technorati :Dakar Honda Motorbikes Motorcycles |
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Posted 09:23:58 Filed under Dakar Race
Author: Mike Werner | Location: Normandy, France
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As previously reported, on Sunday night, Yamaha motorcycle rider Pascal Terry, age 49, died on the Dakar race trail. He was found 15 meters away from his motorcycle, sitting in the shade with his helmet off, and with food and water.
The local Police died an investigation, and the result is that the cause of death was a pulmonary edema  . According to the Argentinian Gendarmerie, his life could have been saved if he would have been treated immediately.
According to ASO (the Dakar organizers), there was a breakdown in communications between the local event organizers, the local head office and the French based head office, causing a long delay before a search was put in pace to find Terry. The fact that his tracking device was showing his motorcycle at the same place, but some thought he had made it back to the base camp without his bike, caused a general confusion and rescue delay.
His body was only found on Wednesday. ASO have vowed to review their communication process. To bad it had to come to a death of a biker.
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| Technorati :Dakar Motorbikes Motorcycles |
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Posted 08:57:45 Filed under France
Author: Mike Werner | Location: Normandy, France
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Via: eMoto
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It was only a few years ago that you could park your motorcycle anywhere in Paris. Sidewalks, dead spaces and commercial parking garages were all fair game. But then the Socialists took over the running of Paris, and things started going downhill for motorcycle riders. Bus lanes are forbidden, strict riding laws are now in effect, and most importantly, you are no longer allowed to leave your PTWPowered Two Wheel - motorcyles, scooters, mopeds on the sidewalk.
The Parisian City Hall promised dedicated free motorcycle parking spaces in most areas, but like all politicians, did not deliver, apart from a few thousand or more spots, not enough for one handful of bikers. So there's an eternal shortage of motorcycle parking spots in Paris, a financial bonanza for the city (in terms of parking fines) and for parking garages. Parking garages used to be free for bikes, but that is no rare.
So now you've got to hunt for parking spots, just like cars. For the Mayor it doesn't matter that you're burning fuel while searching, emitting CO2 into the atmosphere. All he wants is money.
To make your life easier, there's now a parking reservation service for Paris. Setup initially for cars, they've turned to the lucrative market of motorcycles and scooters.
ParkingsDeParis.com negotiate bulk parking spaces in commercial parking garages, and you can reserve the spaces, either on demand, or on an annual basis. For example, a parking in the center can cost you €42 for the month if you take an annual subscription. A lot cheaper than parking tickets.
It's a pity that things had to come to this stage. Maybe when Paris gets a forward thinking Mayor like London, things will shape up again. In the mean time, you can reserve your spot.
Click here to access the site (in English).
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| Technorati :France Motorbikes Motorcycles Paris Parking |
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Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 |
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Posted 22:46:34 Filed under Dakar Race KTM
Author: KTM Press Release | Location: Normandy, France
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Via: KTM
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American Jonah Street shines in Stage Five on KTM
Young American Jonah Street crowned an impressive couple of days with his first Dakar stage win 5’53 ahead of Frans Verhoeven and 7’34 in front of the Chilean Lopez.
 Jonah Street |
Running into more tyre problems, the first KTM factory rider home was Cyril Despres (Red Bull KTM) (eighth at 14’46) just ahead of Marc Coma (Repsol KTM) (ninth at 15’45) with Jordi Viladoms (Repsol KTM) just behind them at 26’30. Despite losing time on the stage to the second placed man, Marc Coma maintains his overall 27’12 ahead of Street with David Fretigne third (at 39’09). Jordi Viladoms (Repsol KTM) is fifth (at 1h06’42) with Cyril Despres tenth (at 1’36’08).
Cyril Despres (Red Bull KTM) eighth (at 14’46) tenth overall (at 1h36’08)
I came past Marc (Coma) early on when he was stopped for a puncture and from there to km 300 I opened the piste until it was my turn to get the spanners out. Of course once you have punctured you have to take it really easy as you don’t have a second chance. I am getting quite good now at swapping tubes and managed to get going again in just 17 minutes. Although I can’t say it was the best day’s racing I have ever had I am nevertheless pleased to have been able to pull a little bit of time back on Marc. Plus the stage was how I like it – pretty tough and very varied. I think the amateur riders are going to really struggle..
 Marc Coma |
Marc Coma (Repsol KTM) ninth (at 15’45) first overall
I was riding very slowly in the stony ground but I still got a puncture just 60 kilometres after the start. Jordi (Viladoms) started 10 minutes behind me this morning, and I knew he would be along soon, so I took my wheel out and starting repairing it while I waited. When he came along we quickly swapped wheels and off I went again. In all I lost no more than 12 minutes or so. Then just before the dunes at the end I lost the rear brake and that made tackling them a bit difficult and cost me a little more time.
Jordi Viladoms (Repsol KTM) tenth (at 14’46) fifth overall (at 1h06’42)
I stopped for Marc but fortunately Gerard Farres stopped for me! The only problem then was to overtake all the riders who had come past me while I was waiting for him. Overall it was a pretty tough special – both physically and mentally. It was pretty long and the navigation was not so easy at the end.
Alain Duclos (Kaestle KTM) Still out at time of filing – will be updated
Not a great day. I punctured at km 80. Then at km 200 the Sentinel alarm system fell off and got stuck between the fork tubes causing me to crash. Finally towards the end of the special the front mousse started to go soft and I felt every stone I rode over.
Stage Six
Riders travel from San Rafael to Mendoza in the next stage with a 395 km special kicking off with 60 km of dunes spiked in the second part with a wide ford crossing. This stage brushes the foothills of the Andes mountain range.
Provisional results after 5th stage
1. Jonah Street, USA, KTM
2. Frans Verhofen, Netherlands, KTM
3. Francisco Lopez, Chile, KTM
4. David Casteu, France, KTM
5. Helder Rodrigues, Portugal, KTM
6. David Fretigne, France, Yamaha
7. Pal Anders Ullevalseter, Norway, KTM
8. Cyril Despres, France, KTM
9. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM
10. Jordi Viladoms, Spain, KTM
Provisional overall standings
1. Marc Coma, Spain, KTM
2. Jonah Street, USA, KTM
3. David Fretigne, France, Yamaha
4. Pal Anders Ullevalseter, Norway, KTM
5. Jordi Viladoms, Spain, KTM
6. Helder Rodrigues, Portugal, KTM
7. Frans Verhofen, Netherlands, KTM
8. David Casteu, France, KTM
9. Henk Knuiman, Netherlands, KTM
10. Cyril Despres, France, KTM
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| Technorati :Dakar Marc Coma Motorbikes Motorcycles Race Rally |
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Posted 16:45:00 Filed under Entertainment Funny
Author: Mike Werner | Location: Travelling
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Via: BBC
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A new law in Nigeria forces motorcycle riders to wear helmets when riding their bikes. According to the new law, all motorcycle riders and their passengers must wear a helmet. Some 4,000 riders die in Nigeria every year, and the government passed the law to try to reduce this number.
But the local motorcycle taxis are the problem. Motorcycle taxis in Africa are very popular. Traffic is always very dense, and hailing a motorcycle taxi is a cheap and fast way to get to your destination. However, according to the angry taxi drivers, passengers either steal the helmets, or they cast an evil spell on the helmet, causing the wearer to lose consciousness, so they can be easily robbed {link}. ("honest dear, I did not go drinking with the money, I was robbed after someone cast a spell on my helmet.... ").
So, in order to have something on their head that looks like a helmet, the motorcycle taxi drivers have resorted to calabashes, a dried pumpkin shell. Though quite strong, no way will it protect anyone in an accident.
The local Police are taking a hard line against these illegal "helmets", impounding the motorcycles and the "helmets". The owners are then asked to explain in court why they think the pumpkin will save their lives... So far 50 motorcycles have been impounded in Kano.
Before anyone remarks that the photo is not a pumpkin, it isn't! It has nothing to do with the story.....(the photo was nicked from MasMoto.net)
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| Technorati :Funny Helmets Motorbikes Motorcycles Nigeria |
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Posted 12:56:57 Filed under Dakar Race
Author: Mike Werner | Location: Normandy, France
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It had to happen. This year's Dakar race was very dangerous due to the high speeds the motorcycles have been riding. Shredded tires were seen on many contestant's motorcycles.
Since Sunday, on the second day, the Dakar organizers have been looking for #192, Pascal Terry, who had not arrived at the finish. It was only yesterday that he was found, and unfortunately, he was dead.
The motorcycle rider was found in an area with full vegetation and difficult to access. He had taken off his helmet and was in the shade. He had food and water.
The Yamaha rider had phoned in beforehand, telling the organizers that he had ran out of fuel, but had just borrowed some from another motorcycle rider. But his motorcycle did not go back on the road. The Dakar organizers tried contacting him via his satellite phone, but did not receive any answer.
The local organizers did not have a chance to go and find out what had happened until Monday morning. The local Police searched for the 49 Normandy based Frenchman, and eventually found him dead on the scene. The reasons for his death are not known, and an investigation is ongoing.
Here is what Terry wrote for his Dakar bio:
The Dakar was his dream “ever since it existed”. “The start of the cars on new year’s eve” is a memory that has remained vivid for the last 30 years. At the beginning of the race he was in his twenties and did motocross with passion. He admired Sabine the adventurer. So to start a Dakar in South America far away from its known origins is a nice homage. “The destination was actually the detonator, a renewal”, says the native of the Manche area of France. “It made me jump into a dream”. His friend Pascal Gilbert who has competed in two bike Dakars wanted to take him to the adventure but on four wheels. He managed to convince him “to do it again on a bike in a team. It’s going to be a true story. Riding as a pair isn’t easy. I’m looking for good rear view mirrors”. The two men from Normandy who have known each other for a long time have turned to Antoine Morel’s team, just to put the chances on their sides. But it will be difficult “to keep a cold head” when you take on a legend like the Dakar. “I truly believe that it will be sensational. The place seems fabulous. We will witness a great moment and I will do all I can to enjoy every stage of the race”. Pascal intends on building a reality at the height of his dream.
I'm always sorry to hear when a motorcycle rider dies, and even more so when it's during the Dakar race.
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