RallyRAIDio brings you live updates and the stories behind the rally, DIRECTLY from the participants. Tune in, and find out what it's really like to compete in the toughest motorsports events in the world!
Lyndon calls in from the finish of his first FIM rally! It's been an intense ride, different in character from the Dakar, but providing invaluable lessons that will serve him well down the line. Job well done, Lyndon!
Lyndon rings in with an in-depth followup to his earlier call, including insight on his mental approach to the race, and some pearls on roadbook preparation among other topics. Thanks for letting us inside the helmet, Lyndon!
Lyndon calls in after having had a very close call on today's stage. Lucky to be uninjured, he brought the bike home (in surprisingly good time), but the team have work to do tonight. One more stage to go, bring it home safe, Lyndon!
Lyndon rings in on the way to bed down for the night after a shortened day three. The second special of the day (SS6) was cancelled due to wildfires in the area. Big day on tap tomorrow, with just one special but over 180km of racing from the 300+ km day. It took him over 3hrs to do the roadbook for the stage! He's been having problems with his right hand due to bike vibration, hopefully the team can sort a solution overnight. Sleep well, Lyndon. We'll look forward to hearing from you tomorrow!
Lyndon calls in after the tough second day of the Sardinia rally, having learned a valuable nav lesson (read: learned the hard way) on how he was marking his roadbook. Apart from that, no significant issues and certainly making good on his intent to gain experience in the subtleties of rallye. He's looking forward to tomorrow -- keep it steady, Lyndon! Check out Lyndon's facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LyndonPoskittRacing and his thread on ADVrider: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=777301
Lyndon calls in after his first stage of his first FIM rally. Every bit of a challenge, he's seeing his strategy of entering a rally prior to Dakar paying dividends already. Keep it steady, Pyn!
Lyndon calls in after scrutineering and preparing his roadbook at the Sardinia Rally. Ready to go despite a scare in the parking area!
Lyndon calls in after his arrival in Sardinia. Prep has gone well, nothing left now but to get on with it! Check out Lyndon's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LyndonPoskittRacing and his thread on ADVrider: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=777301
(Photo credit: benconstanduros.com) We get an insider's look "behind the curtain" where the ASO produces the video feed for the Dakar Rally with BenConstanduros. If you've ever marveled at the stunning images from the rally, you'll be amazed by the logistics required to get them worldwide from a race day that spans hundreds of kilometers. If you've ever been frustrated by what's been show (or hasn't been shown), insight, too, on that. Thanks, Ben! Hardcore Rallye Tragics, don't miss this one. You can follow Ben on twitter @BenConsty, or check out his site and blog at http://benconstanduros.com/blog
(Photo of Tim courtesy Ted Johnson) Ted Johnson chats with us after the Dakar rally, giving us an inside view of the bivouac from the back seat of Rally PanAm's team truck. Even if you don't have the stuff to compete, you can get inside the rally in a way you never dreamed possible by buying in to a team seat. This could be one expensive call in, for the die hard fans listening. You've been warned.
We last heard from Ned with a brief voicemail after the finish. We were finally able to catch up with him for a full interview from the airport in Miami on his way home today. Welcome back to the US of A, Ned. You've done us proud. Very proud. Grab a few beers (or coffee's, if you're at work -- dont' worry, we won't tell the boss) and listen in to get answers to the questions many of you have asked. A few surprising revelations, and more detail than a Dakar Junkie could ever hope to find anywhere else. To get any more involved in the race, you'd have to fork over your own entry fee. Thanks for letting us Inside the Helmet, Ned. Can't wait to follow you wherever your next adventure may take you. For those of you who aren't already following along, check out Ned's EXCELLENT thread on ADVrider.com: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=707131
Dakar finisher's medal in hand, Ned calls us with a quick update from the hotel following the podium presentations. Congrats, Ned. Goal met. Can't wait to hear what it feels like once that thought has firmly sunk in.
Another great interactive chat with Ned from the bivouac after the penultimate stage, stage 13. Tomorrow's stage is a liaison and then largely ceremonial special into the finish in Lima. Almost in, Ned!
(Photo credit: Webventure) Stan calls in after stage 13, just one more short 29km special and a moderate liaison to go before the finish podium in Lima. Stan's had a solid run in the second half, and is philosophical about the way his first half went. Cheers, Stan!
(Photo Credit: Eurosport) Neil (Bluebull2007) catches up with Toby Younger at the bivouac in Nasca, Peru, after stage 12. While for many this year "Marathon Stage" is just a fancy way of saying "Motorcycle-only campout", for Toby it's been a true "Marathon Rally", in every sense of the phrase. Made famous to the general audience by his overnight in the dunes prior to the rest day, Toby's managed more midnight km's than any other moto in the race. And yet in every photo, there's that indomitable smile, shining through. Thanks for talking with us, Toby, and keep those wheels rolling for another two days!
Ned calls in from the windy (gave the sat phone a few fits, apologies) bivouac in Peru following Stage 12, the conclusion of the "marathon" stage -- which Ned found to be a bit of a farce since the factory teams basically got a full service along the liaison route after the special. A few mechanical gremlins overnight for Ned, his training paid off through the dunes and he made it in to camp where they'll overhaul the clutch on the bike tonight. Last big stage tomorrow, keep your fingers crossed for a clean run. Goooooo! Ned!!
Having surmounted some unusual challenges on Stage 11, Ned Suesse has his "Dakar Moment" while on the liaison to the moto-only marathon bivouac. Ever-giving of himself, he pulls over to call us "in the moment". The seemingly unflappable Neduro brought to tears, this has to be one of the most heartfelt calls in RallyRAIDio history. Do not miss.
Neil calls in with a man-on-the-scene report from the entrance to the Moto Bivouac after having followed Ned Suesse in on the liaison. Sounds like there are some stories to be told!
ADVrider's own roving reporter, Bluebull2007, meets up with Darryl Curtis at the start of stage 11 for a quick interview and an update on his rally thusfar. Thanks, Neil!
Ned calls in after a fun stage, having navigated his way out of the dunes with a flock of sheep (riders) behind him. Another great Robbie Gordon story along the way, too. Enjoy!
"Great day! Fun on the bike, the hill was AWESOME! Watching my bike float away in the river was not..." Listen in to hear Ned's epic stories from stage 9, including his underwater incident, close call with a mine, and Johnny Campbell's comments on Robby Gordon. Goooooo! Ned!
Ned calls us after what would turn out to be a very controversial stage for the frontrunners. He had his own challenges, including a stage that was very fast and admittedly not his most comfortable zone. A followup call reveals that his steering damper had become disengaged, a sketchy prospect when running 120kph through fesh fesh embedded with hidden rocks! "This isn't racing, Ned says, it's praying!" Well-done to bring it home safely, Ned.
Another great 20 minute conversation with Ned, we catch him in the bivouac on the rest day.
Photocredit: webventure.br Team FrontRowGB rider and front running Brit, Stan Watt, rings in at the rest day to update us on his rally so far. For a team built with ambitious goals, it hasn't all gone perfectly to date. But he's looking forward to taking advantage of the grueling second half to move further up the order.
Observers of the stage will have noted that Ned was off pace today. There's a very good (actually, two very good) reason(s) for that. Tune in to hear how Ned MacGuyvered his way through the stage, and lived to Dakar another day.
After stage six was cancelled, ostensibly due to snow on the route, Ned arrives in Chile after the liaison transit. While he hangs out waiting for the service truck to arrive, we catch up on many topics including his reaction to the cancellation, how the bike is holding up so far, and if his outlook or approach has changed any heading in to the middle of the rally.
Fiambala has a legendary, and brutal, reputation on the Dakar. Tune in to hear how Ned's day went on this year's weather-shortened edition. Fiamba
After one of the most grueling starts to a Dakar in recent memory, Ned Suesse fills us in on his experience through stage 4, including his first encounter with the cars. Go, Ned, Go!!! AFt
Ned calls in after stage 3, a stage that other riders have said is "the most technical they've seen on a rally". Big news for the front runners today, while Ned keeps riding his ride. Photo Courtesy CVestal (during training) P
Had a great 20 minute conversation with Ned from the Bivouac tonight. Catch up with all the details from his rally thus far, with typical Ned insight. Grab a beer and pull up a chair.
Ned calls in after a monster transit (nearly 700km in total) following his first competitive Dakar stage. Ever cerebral, he listened to a book on tape and watched other riders squirm while his Renazco saddle cushioned his tush in comfort. Hopefully Ned is getting his beauty sleep tonight, and keeping the "snowball small", as Charlie would say. Fun fun.
Ned calls in after the ceremonial start, including the story of his monster wheelie down the ramp. Ned dials us in on what it feels like to be on the cusp of an event like the Dakar. Go Ned, Go!
Part 2 of Ned's call from the eve of the rally.
Ned calls in on the eve of the rally with an update. Good luck, Ned! We're all pulling for you! Part 1 of 2.
Ned calls in today shortly after the finish of the rally, as teams make the mad dash to get gear packed for the return trip. People will be heading to the site of last week's bombing in a show of solidarity and humanity.
Ned calls in after the 7th stage. "Crossed a pass in the atlas today, very rocky. Tank is seeping but rideable. Really enjoyed the tracks, tomorrow is mostly paved. Spending tonight at a movie studio, many strange props all around."
Ned calls in after an eventful day on the rally, which included a sandstorm and splitting fuel tank out on the piste. Way to bring it in, Ned! Close
Jenny Morgan is now on her return journey to the UK, and calls from Sao Paulo sounding much better than the last time we heard from her. Let's hope she's as fresh when she lands back home. Fly safe, Jenny!
Craig Bounds rings in from the hospital in Chile. Get well soon, Craig!
Craig Bounds is out of the rally on the day before the rest day. Tamsin calls in with a report, and details on how you can contact Craig (SMS) with a word of cheer as he waits in a Chilean hospital. Heal well, Craig. Thanks for letting us along on the ride.
We have another long chat with Jenny Morgan from her hospital bed in Chile, and she shares some incredible insight into what it's like to be an "everyday" (read: amateur) rider on the Dakar. A must-listen for hardcore rally fans.
We talk with Jenny Morgan from her hospital bed in Chile post-surgery. She crashed heavily on stage 4 yesterday and was evacuated via helicopter. She underwent surgery today to stabilize her leg injury, and we spoke to her shortly thereafter. As always, she was full of incredible stories and very energetic despite the situation. Jenny on the ground before the medical corps got to her.
Craig Bounds and Tamsin call in with a bivouac report after the monster dune finish of Stage 5.
Tamsin calls in from the bivouac with a quick report on Jenny Morgan after her crash.
Now in Chile, Craig Bounds and Tamsin call in with a report after the high-altitude stage 4.
Jenny Morgan calls in with a report from her eventful stages 2 and 3. Jenny's a RallyRAIDio pro, and leaves you with dust in your mouth after listening to her stories. :-)
Craig Bounds calls in after a brutal Stage 3. Most stages would be considered a disaster if you had to remove your front brake rotor. For Craig, that was just the beginning. He brings it home in hero fashion, though!
Tamsin and Craig call in after an incredible day on the piste. Lucky doesn't come close to describing it! Go Boundsy!