http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/off-road/2009/12/02/ktm-prepares-for-dakar-2010 Its getting started......
Great now that we know what KTM is doing, what do Husky doing in preparation? :devil: Isn’t the race limited to 450cc now?
Maybe i missed something but as far as i can tell no Americans racing Dakar this year. There is one Husky. Racer #126 from Brazil. Its his first Dakar. My money is on Frans the dutchman on the BMW. He won the Marathon Class in '06 and has been a steady factory KTM guy for a few years now. He's a crasher, but if the dakar demons are at bay, he could do it. Of course, whoever wins dakar will need lots of luck. Nice to see a Sherco with the #3 plate! Sherco has a small but dedicated Dakar passion. Wouldnt that be something if Sherco wins. My old baja teammate Annie Seel will finish 19th overall. Restrictor plates this year for the big bikes (gee, i wonder if there will be any cheating...) and then next year its 450cc only.
You heard of Jonah Street thats who racing for rally panam he's local to me. He won one of the stages last year then went out with a wrist injury too bad he was in third place. This year will be interesting for sure with everyone running the restrictor plates. Should level the playing field.
Two Americans listed so far, 6 BMW's, one lone HSQ and about 60+ KTM's and almost 30 Yamahas and 30 Hondas. Looking forward to more BMW presence and surprised there isn't more HSQ's as both have shown to have very reliable 450's over the long haul. HSQ is defnitely a little more buzzy for endurance riding, but the engine will hold together for a complete Dakar.
for the Rally bike I would install the "old" Counter balancer shaft (no?) word on the street is , that Ty has been playing around with the "old" CB shaft on the Dez 510s.
The lone Husky entry was smokin today. Started in pos. 76 CP-1 20th Kilometer 83 24th CP2-KM 111 26th finish 31
Last i checked local (to me) fast guy and all around great dude Jonah Street is doing very well. Was in 14th and worked his way to 6th / 43 minutes off the lead.
Lone Husky - Claudio "Burrito" Rodriguez Claudio Rodriguez (Chile) is easing up in the standings - now 48th overall after today's stage (the 6th) according to the master list. (his personal page shows him 46th http://www.dakar.com/us/DAKAR/2010/teams/starters/161.html ) There's a quick blurb about him here - apparently his dad is also his mechanic: http://www.dakar.com/us/DAKAR/2010/stage-5/portraits.html
check out Jurgen van den Goorbergh, saw him in racing off road in Romaniacs!! He won the ex class! now he is here in a buggy in the Dakar. I remember him from all of his roadracing exploits in GP and WSB series. This guy is a dyed in the wool prolific racer!! Must be just having a ball!!! http://www.vdgoorbergh.com/index.php?menu=jurgen
Burrito to go Claudio Rodriguez is 46th after the seventh stage and hanging tough- many riders have washed out. They are running the eighth stage this morning (January 10) - Go Burrito! http://www.dakar.com/us/DAKAR/2010/stage-7/standings/bikes/overall.html