It's almost go time for the most bad ass off road race on Earth! What ya'll looking forward to this year?
I'm interested to see how the Austrian Teams do now that they are all on the new platform rally bike... they clearly had some work to do on that thing at last years Dakar and can't love that Sam won on the old platform. Do they have it worked out? Have they made it too small and light to run with the big Hondas?
Ricky Brabec...probably woulda won last year if it wasn't for the big screw up on day one, I'm looking for him to be solid this year.
Skyler Howes, just won his first World Rally this year, wouldn't be surprised if he can take it all at Dakar. He's had a lot of time to train and test as a full time Factory guy now, we should see what he has to offer.
Mason Klein, top 10 last year, can he back it up? If he can, he may just find a seat on the Factory KTM Team....it sure seems like Toby's days are numbered, his body is hammered. Mattias needs a good ride to keep his seat too I would think.
The Aussies....Toby and Daniel (Chucky)....both of them are coming in less than 100% according to Quinn Cody on the Dakar Daily Podcast. But ol' Tobs won with a broken wrist before, he can NEVER be ruled out.
Jacob Argubright has no lack of speed in the desert, can he turn some heads in his first try?
Good buddy of mine, Paul Neff, is in the Malle Moto class this year. He's a previous ISDE Trophy Team Member, has won a lot of regional championships and big races over the years. Dude loves dirt bikes like nobody I know, really hoping he can get a solid finish.
All I can say is... Bring. It. On. I LOVE Dakar!
A few other notable things. They have imposed a speed limit on the bikes for this year and are also awarding bonus time for the dudes leading out the stage to try to negate some of the advantage of starting later and following tracks.
Good preview from Enduro21 https://enduro21.com/en/racing/latest/rally/dakar-rally-2023-all-you-ne…
Paul is capable of surprising everyone.......Mason is quite capable of a top 5 or better.
It is time for a great big shakeup!
I don't want to jinx him but he could do pretty well in Malle Moto if things go his way. Dude is a tough as they come, has some surprising speed still and is no stranger to wrenching on bikes. He also will be right at home sleeping in a tent and roughing it for a few weeks. I hope he's got enough Navigation training in to be able to keep up on that aspect well enough.
Where is it streamed? RedBull TV?
I'd like to check it out for the first time.
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Let’s go, a lot of contenders this year. Be ready for the inevitable catastrophic failures of man and machine…
Red Bull TV usually has good daily recaps, pretty heavy on the Red Bull Athletes obviously but good overall coverage.
I also watch a lot on YouTube, I think if you search "Dakar Rally" you'll find the channel, the organization does daily highlights of each Class as well as some other bonus content sprinkled in.
I don't have cable but in years past there has also been a 30 minute show everyday on NBC sports I believe.
I think NBCSN carrys a 30 minute daily wrap up show.
I’m hoping Mason can come out with a top 5. He’s a local kid from our area and is riding with a lot of confidence.
https://youtu.be/Rq9EGidqT5g
Not streaming, but good recaps.
In the UK there a 1 hour Eurosport programme showing highlights of all the classes so about 5-7 mins of bikes.
Its not enough
as said above YouTube , and some pilots do their own blogs.
pity no factory Yamaha
two years ago I followed James Alexander 59 year old Botswana man finished the Malle moto coming in most nights in this dark
I’m really looking forward to this years event. Lots of good talent. I think Skyler or Ricky can win it if the can keep from making any big mistakes and their bikes don’t have any major issues. I’m cheering for Jacob and Mason as well, both are good dudes.
James Hillier TT legend competes in 1st Daker
https://www.dakar.com/en/competitor/80
Jonah Street going over in the 2000s is what got me into Dakar. Can’t wait for this years.
Another NW Rider entered for Dakar 2023 Ace Nilson
https://www.instagram.com/p/CmzHRveusin/
Jonah. Legend. Got to swing a leg over one of his Rally bikes for a quick rip once.....wowzers!
Also, it looks like Shorty is over there in a Can-Am this year, with age comes a cage, can't blame him! Glad to see he's still around the Rally scene.
One of his KTMs or one of the Yamahas?
KTM
It was the year before he switched to Yamaha I believe.
Pit Row
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/moto-related/nbc-sports-will-present-dai…
I got an email from FloRacing to renew my subscription for Snocross, so I checked it out and it turns out the Dakar Rally is going to air live on there as well. I wish they offered a monthly subscription, but that's another conversation.
https://www.floracing.com/events/8237760-2023-the-dakar-rally
It says it starts streaming tonight at 11:40pm eastern time.
Yes sir, I believe the Prologue is tonight/today.
I'm gonna go with Ricky B. throwing down a prologue time to let everyone know he's not f'n around this year.
I'd really like to see Skyler win too but Ricky has already done it and probably woulda a couple other times if it weren't for Day 1 last year and an electrical issue a few years ago....yes I know "ifs and buts" but you can't deny that Ricky has been the most consistent tip of the spear guy for the last few years.
USA! USA! USA!
All tucked up in bed ? Prologue starting soon
The logistics of this thing are mind blowing.
Check out ADVrider.com, if any of you haven't.
It has a huge ( sometimes a Few huge threads) each year, with ( some) fanatical, ( a few)well informed posters.
I've followed the Dakar since it's inception, but I can't, well won't get into the minutiae of it like some do. Cripes, just keeping up with that sites main thread on it can be a considerable task.
Yesterday, one of the "inmates" there put up a list of various sites / YouTube's / FBs, Twatters and Instagrams etc from companies and competitors. Bloody Hell it was long, and I'm sure they were but the tip of the iceberg with regards to that.
Me?, I follow it, with the main thought and hope that none get badly hurt, or worse, while attempting what for most, is the goal of a lifetime, and, for a select few, a Job.
I wish them all well.
I always cheer for Andrew Short but even more so this year as he is navigating with Australian Molly Taylor (the only female driver to win the Australian rally championship!). Hopefully they get to the finish and get a good result.
Early days but 2 Aussies up front
Brabec 11th Klein 18th, Howes 39th in prologue, very close times.
Toby may pip Ricky for that title I believe, both have had years where 1 mistake cost them the win. They are not alone though, as much as I’m into this race it is frustrating as hell to follow live timing and wonder what is going on when someone drops spots…
yet here I am again.
Yay go the Aussie's :-D
Well dang, just read Sam Sunderland has crashed out already.
Dakar is a brutal bitch.
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