Wednesday, January 4 2012
Day 3 of the Dakar- a tough one for all riders, but particularly US riders as crashes and mechanical issues leave only four Americans in the race. With a tragic death and many nasty crashes already, it seems this year’s Dakar is turning out to be a somewhat perilous race.
This stage was won by Cyril Despres of France who now takes the lead: “The strange thing about rally-raid is that often you have no idea whether or not you are having a good day- until it’s all over. Until about 10 km from the finish line, all I knew was that it was a particularly tough day.
“It started badly this morning when I tore a finger nail putting on my boots. Then at about 160 km my compass stopped working. Finally, on the really technical last 70 kilometres, in the dried up river bed, I damaged my rear brake disc. These are all the sort of things that can cost you time, so I was surprised when, on a remade piste near the end, I couldn’t see any tracks ahead of me. Then I noticed that the TV helicopter was flying over me.
“It was only upon arrival at the finish line that I was certain I had won the special. Obviously I am pleased with the result, but I have been doing this long enough to know that it is just another detail in the long route to Lima.”
