“Made it back to BA. It’s been a long 2 days, no sleep. I’m cool with what’s happened. I felt very strong and I know I can beat this race. If its not this year then it will be next, one year it will happen. All I need now is a new bloody bike! Next year I’m back!”
Today’s stage will run from Chilecito to Fiambala and will comprise of a 151km connection and a special of 265km. The special starts at 13h30 RSA time (08h30 Arg time), and the challenge will lie in the soft white sand, mixed with stones in the dunes of Fiambala. Navigation will also be quite tough this time around.
Good luck to all the guys and hang in there, you are doing great!
Today he faces a whole new challenge in the stage running from San Juan to Chilecito. The day comprises of a 424km connection and a 326km special stage. The summit is located almost 3500m in altitude and the terrain is a mix of sand and rocks which will provide quite a challenge for the competitors. Running through the province of Rioja, they’ll be able to view the spectacular canyons and scenery.
Today’s stage (stage 3) will run from San Rafael to San Juan through the Andes Cordillera. Needless to say it will comprise of breath-taking scenery, with accompanying obstacles for the riders. One of the acrobatic climbs will have to be completed in first gear all the way. The stage will have a connection of 291km followed by the special stage of 270km.
Team mate, Chris Birch also had a great race yesterday, finishing in 34th overall (following a 5 minute penalty at waypoint 2) and fellow South African Darryl Curtis had an overall standing of 46th.
Good luck to all the guys for today!
After a hectic race to the start, day one is finally done and dusted with Iain finishing 158th overall. His moose collapsed in the special stage and he had to find one at the end of the special. The bike is also giving problems, looks like the carb, and broke down four times in the special, but he managed to get it going and limped home in the intense heat. All and all quite a tough day.
Today the race will run from Santa Rosa to San Rafael in Argentina. It comprises a total of 782km of which 295km is the special stage and 487km of liaison sections. The first bike will depart at 09h00 South African time (5AM local time). The first half of the special stage will be the most challenging, whereas the volcaninc grey sand in El Nihuil will prove to be the final test of the day.
Despite all the odds, the bikes arrived at 21h00 last night! With the help of Marc Coma and Cyril Despres’s mechanics, the bikes were race ready and made their way through scruitineering at 5AM this morning. With only 2 hours sleep, the guys have a long day ahead of them. Day one comprises of 763km with a special stage of 57km. Iain left 30 seconds before Chris and about 45 minutes after the leaders. So now the race is on!
On the 20th of December we found out that our container carrying 4 race bikes and 12 support bikes had been stuck in a Brazilian port awaiting transfer to BA. Since then we’ve been moving heaven and earth to try and get the container to BA and down to Mar del Plata in time for the start. This has been a testing time dealing with customs officials and freight forwarders on two different continents. All I can say now is that it’s going to be down to the line whether we make the start or not. The vessel arrives at 11AM on the 31st. We have managed to get pre-customs clearance, with the assistance of the ASO and waiver logistics (our in-country forwarder). The boat has to be offloaded and the container has to leave the port by 14h00, otherwise it will be stuck in the port until the 3rd of January and the race will be over for us. You cannot get closer than this!! The next problem we have is to get the bikes 600km to Mar del Plata, all the safety equipment fitted and through scruitineering before midnight. So it’s a race to the start !!!!
The Dakar organisers have been absolutely amazing giving special dispensation to allow the 4 of us (Darryl, Greg, Neil & myself) to carry out late scruitineering and get to the start of this epic event.
Hold thumbs that there is not another delay!!!!!
I landed in Argentina at 15h30 local time yesterday. Chris, Darryl and myself made our way down to the start and scruitineering HQ in Mar del Plata which is 600km South if Buenos Aires. In typical Dakar chaos there were no hire cars available and the hire car that we had booked was no longer available so the only option was to hire a taxi which cost a staggering $700 US. It took a good hour to convince the taxi driver to take us out of his normal city routing pattern , the final agreed rate sealed the deal.
Arrived in Mar del Plata at midnight Argentina time (RSA 5am) and tried to get some sleep which has been a little difficult with all the adrenaline starting to kick in. I’ll defiantly have to try and get an early night tonight or im going to be on the back foot unrested at the start. Mar del Plata is like a cross between Bloemfontein and Margate, apparently the Argentinian populists holiday mecca, so teaming with holiday makers on their end of year break. The organizers are predicting at least 1 million people at the start of this years event which is absolutely immense.
Today is the start of scruitineering so its the start of a long series of checks that will take most of the day . We’ll get most of it done today and have to wait for the bikes to arrive to get all the final start permission. So holding thumbs for the arrival of the container which is due to dock later this evening…..
After a mind-blowing first attempt, I’ve decided that I can’t let this event beat me so I’m back to Argentina to see if I can survive and finish this epic event.
The race starts in Mar del Plata with 5 stages in Argentina, 5 in Chile with many of last years stages relived and then 5 new stages in Peru which should be formidable. I had a taste of the Northern Atacama last year on the stage to the border town of Arica and all I can say is it was tough stuff. This part of the Atacama is probably the driest place on earth, the riding terrain was to put in mildly absolutely brutal! Rocks, sand and fesh-fesh for 100′s of kilometers. The race will pass over the San Francisco pass which will see the competitors negotiating altitudes of 5000m above sea-level at below zero temperatures. I’ve made sure that I’m better prepared this year with the addition of warmer gear in my riding bag. Last year, I left Argentina for the Andes crossing at 24 degC with nothing more than my standard riding gear none the wiser for what I was about to experience. All I can say is that I kaked ice cubes….
I’m on a 450 this year which will most definitely be easier. Last year the bikes were separated from the other vehicles and sent down “enduro” style stages which in some cases proved quiet difficult on the big beast. The 450 is a brilliant machine , still tall but more maneuverable. The test will be whether the motor will stand the distance. Last year most of the KTM 450 competitors had 3 engine changes, I’m going to try and complete the race on one. I’ve got a back-up just in case.
I learnt a shit load on my last attempt so this year I’ve prepared accordingly. The key objective is to stay on the bike so I’ve worked hard on my riding skills. I have had the fantastic opportunity to ride with Chris Birch this year and have picked up lots more confidence, Chris has a sharp eye and has the knack of picking up what your doing wrong with one passing. I’ve also worked hard in the gym so I’m feeling alot stronger ( slightly heavier) which will help in the later part of the race when it really gets tough. I’ve also carried on with the cycling, which proved very beneficial not just for the fitness levels but also getting my backside bedded in for the long days in the saddle. Many riders had “monkey bum” issues….do I need to say any more.
All in all it’s going to be 15 tough days….bring it on!!! Hold thumbs
Iain withdrew from the 2011 Dakar on Stage 8 (Day 10) – check point 2 due to an injury sustained after a fall. Till that point he was making steady progress in the rankings. Iain managed to finish most stages in better condition than he was expecting particularly on Stage 3 and Stage 6. Stage 3 was his first major milestone which he completed in good form. Stage 6 was immense. There were over 20 withdrawals. Not only did Iain finish in good form but managed to climb 10 positions in the overall standings. Stage 7 was a long day and where Iain started to really feel the fatigue. On the road book Stage 8 was by no means a particularly difficult stage and Iain, in theory, should have knocked it off without too much effort. An unlucky fall just before check point 2 caused injury to his knee and back. Iain tried to continue and at check point 2 the doctor gave him some pain killers and anti-inflammatory medication. He then continued but was unable to stand on the pegs of the bike and kept dropping the bike in the turns. He then made the difficult decision to end his race.
| Stage | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Pos | 130 | 123 | 114 | 113 | 111 | 117 | 107 |
Unfortunately Iain had to retire from the Dakar today. He is bitterly disappointed but had no option but to end his race. He hit a rocky lip and the back wheel kicked out to the right. He then came down with the bike falling on his left knee also twisting his knee and back in the process. He was unable to get up from under the bike until some spectators came to his aid. The pain in his knee and back was too severe for him to stand on the pegs of the bike and after dropping the bike a number of times after the crash he had no option but to retire from the race at check point 2. Hayley, Johnny and Bron went to pick him up from the bivouac this afternoon. There is no permanent damage just very deep bruising.
Although Iain is crest fallen I would just like to say that we are incredibly proud of him and having travelled near to where he has been riding the terrain is truly terrifying and what he has achieved is immense. On the flip side we are all very pleased to have Iain join us on the road trip across South America.
Below are some photo’s of the last 2 days. We will continue the blog with updates from the race and our journey.
This was a monster of a stage. Iain did an increadible ride finnishing in 10:35:24 moving into position 107 overall . To put this effort into perspective the oraganisers have decided to half Stage 7′s race stage distance as Stage 6 was so rigorous that there were too many competitors still left out on the course trying to make their way back. On our way back down south from Arica to Iquique at 6 pm this afternoon there were still competitors trying to make the deadline at the Bivouac. This means they were in the desert all night. The Dakar site is reporting 20 bike withdrawals.
Iain said it was an incredibly tough stage and the fesh-fesh particularly treacherous. Although the fesh-fesh is fine powdered desert it hides many large and small rocks. Today (08.01.2011) was a rest day so Iain was able to leave the bivouac yesterday and spend yesterday evening with his wife Hayley and the reset of the entourage (Johnny, Bron, Megan and myself). He looked really tired but still had enough energy to have dinner and a chat with us. After a good night sleep and some food this morning he ready to go again.
Today is a rest day and Iain has spent the day recovering and preparing for the next couple of days. The bike needed a bit more work done to the GPS as it was still not functioning correctly after his last fall. But other than that the bike is still in very good nick.
So far there are 224 competitors left in the race (414 started) . 186 Bikes started and there are 125 left.
Long but successful day in the saddle. Time for the race section was 09:50:30. Iain has moved up to 113 overall! We were lucky enough, again, to see Iain come into the finish. Still looking strong but the fatigue starting to show on his face. He had another tumble today which damaged his GPS system so had the added difficulty of navigating unaided. Hopefully the GPS will be repaired tonight.
Iain reported that there were quite a few other riders stuck in the FESH-FESH (fine powder dessert sand) and that he spent over an hour in second gear getting through it. He also said it was a bit unnerving having the cars trucks come past you at 200km through the dessert; the cars and trucks are able to travel a lot faster and are catching the bikes.
Big day in the dunes today. 36km Transition and the 423km race … most of it in the dunes.
Here are some more official photo’s from yesterday :
Great day for Iain. We managed to see him end the stage and catch up with him outside the bivouac. He is looking relaxed and confidant. He said that he really was enjoying the riding and even having some fun. One fall earlier on in the stage when he became a bit over confident and tried to overtake by going off track and ended trying to wheely over a small gorge …. . Only damage done was a broken odometer … lucky he has 2 of those !
Speaking to him today his tactics are to stay within his limits. As one of his fellow competitors says “No Gas” (French accent).
Here is the route map summary :
“The Dakar leaves Argentina provisionally to cross the Andes mountain range via Paso de Jama pass. To reach this point , the climb will start during the night. Once they have crossed the boarder, the crews will assend to an altitude of 4800 m , i.e. the same height as Mont-Blanc, without crampons or ice picks. In sporting terms, the arrival in Chile also heralds the entrance to the Atacama dessert and the first off track racing of the rally. The start of the relatively short special stage will take place at 3300 m. ”
Iain started the connection at 4.30 am this morning and the race section starts at 11am.
We travel the route yesterday and I can tell you being at 4800m above sea level made us all feel very light headed and queasy almost to the point where you felt you would fall over. This on top of the lack of sleep and the effort racing is going to make this another tough day!
Good luck boet !
Here are some photos from the official photographers :
Iain has successfully competed stage 3. Long day for him. Here is a text from him :
“Hi guys … long day in the saddle 13 hours . I had a good start and was going well when I couldn´t find a waypoint.It took me 1.5 hours to get myself back on track again … no problems just one fall early on.”
Unfortunaly no photo´s today as we had a 10 hour drive through the Andes mountain range (5000 m above sea level). We will be close to Iain on tomorrows stage so will try get some more shots.
HUGE day for Iain today. As I write this he has gone through check point 1 in 129th position. Here is the route map summary :
“On the first part the bikers will again be racing on their own track, plunging into the desert canyons where the red of the sand and cliffs is the dominant colour.
There is a striking contrast with the second timed portion: the race moves to earthen tracks and the bikes will disappear into a thick green forest. The trucks will not be doing this challenge as it will be too dangerous”
Its a 231 KM connection then 521KM races section. This is a huge day. Iain spoke about this day before the start and said he would be glad to get though this stage.
Iain has sorted stage three. This is from his facebook page :
“..day was good…..Special was fast and slow with hundreds on twisty passes with a fine pebble that felt like I was riding on marbles …I had my first wipe out sliping out on a corner…knees a bit bruised but otherwise fine”
He is in 125th position. We managed to get to see him just before the finish in San Miguel Tukuman. The crowds were incredible. Luckily he saw us and pulled over. We had a very brief chat and he sounded good. He did have a fall earlier in the day but he is fine with a bit of a sore knee. Bike had a few scratches down the right side. The crowds got a bit too enthusiastic so Iain had to move on.
Iain through check point 1 in 120th position. For up to date info on Iain’s progress go here
Iain has started today’s stage. Cordoba to San Miguel De Tucuman. Connection is 440km and race section is 300. Another big day. Keep it steady Iain !
The weapon ready for Stage 3 !
Iain completed the second stage in fine form. He finished 112th. Here is his facebook status from yesterday :
“arrived in Cordoba after a long liason and short race stage down some really nice tracks….Started off at 5 this morning and rode 480km to the race stage start. .My start time was 10:45 and they started us off in twos for a 200 km special and the another 100 liason to Cordoba…Saw 4 crashes, the first 10 min into the stage …some of these guys are bloody crazy…full taps all the way.”
We managed to see him at the finish in Cordoba. He looked relaxed and in good shape. While we were chatting the local TV station did an interview.
Speaking to Iain he said that the speed some of the guys were travelling at was incredible. At one section Iain was doing 120 -130 km in the dust with little vis and a couple of guys went past like he was standing still.
Here a some photos from at the end of stage 2 :
Sorry for late updates. We only arrived in Tucman 11pm last night.
Iain completed the first day successfully. He contacted Hayley (Mrs Iain Stevenson) in a very upbeat mood to confirm the first day under his belt. 370km with the route lined with spectators all the way ! Big day ahead tomorrow; Victoria to Cordoba – Start time 4.20 am with a 566km connection then timed section of 192km. Photo’s below of Iain preparing for the start this morning and some shot of his preps yesterday.
Iain is on the way to the start. Photosto come when we arrive in Cordoba (600km).
Iain completed the bikes scrutineering (attaching map roll holder, gps, collision detection system, safety checks , etc ,etc) at 11 pm last night. He is all good to go and his official race number is 102. It took all of 12 hours yesterday !
Iain is looking relaxed but obviously has the pre race nerves. We (Hayley, Johny, Bron, Megan and myself) are here with him are going to have a rustig (relaxed) new years party tonight. Hopefully we will meet up with Alfie Cox and his crew to get pre-race advise.
The bikes set off tomorrow from 2pm (BA time) at 2 min intervals. That makes Iain’s approximate start time between 4 & 5 PM.
COME ON IAIN YOU CAN DO THIS !
Iain has arrived in Buenos Aires and collected his bike ! T minus 3 days ! Photo’s below.
Hello Everyone !
I will be looking after Iain’s blog while he does the 2011 Dakar Rally ! Hopefully (internet connection dependant) I will provide daily updates on Iain’s progress.
T minus four days till the start. Iain is on route to Buenos Aires and will arrive at 22:10 local time which is 03:10 (next day) South African time ; 01:1o UK time.
Speak soon
Hugh
2011 Dakar Route
Here is the official 2011 Dakar Rally entry list !
2011 Dakar Rally Official Entry List
A change in the regulations on guidance towards WPMs is set to change life for co-drivers, whose role will be enhanced in the Dakar 2011. Lucas Cruz, who has already had the opportunity of testing the new rule with success on the Silk Way Rally with Carlos Sainz, explains the issues at stake in the reform.
Every day the road book serves drivers and co-drivers as their Bible. They devote meticulous care to following the instructions given in its notes, in order to find all of the passage points (WPM) that have to be validated on special stages, to avoid incurring penalties. Until now, competitors have been guided by their navigation instruments when approaching WPMs, as soon as they arrive within a 3-mile radius of these points. From now on, their GPS will only be activated at a distance of 800 metres from the target, thus obliging co-drivers to concentrate for longer on each WPM. This additional effort considerably changes the co-drivers’ role, as Lucaz Cruz – Carlos Sainz’s road companion – explains: “it is clear that this rule makes navigation much more important. And for co-drivers, this means a lot of stress! The problem is that it is no longer possible to look ahead to the following road book notes for locating the next point. One must first make sure that the WPM is validated, and move on very quickly”.
This more demanding rule on WPMs will be particularly telling in dune zones, where landmarks are much fewer and farther between. “In total off-track, it is possible to make mistakes which can lead to detours of several kilometres. On the other hand, when there are tracks and intersections, it is easy enough to tell whether one is on the right route”, the Spaniard explains, confident in his command of the subject. For many of those following in his footsteps, the game will be much less easy.
Jordi Arcarons has never really been in the Dakar limelight, in spite of his having been on the podium on six occasions. He is nevertheless the second biggest winner of legs in the motorcycle events, after Stéphane Peterhansel, with 27 victories to his name. This year the Spaniard is back in action behind the handlebars of a KTM. However, his frame of mind is completely different.
At the time of his last appearance in the race, in 2002, Jordi Arcarons was somewhat left in the shadows, finishing in 7th place in the final results of the competition, after having established one of the most impressive records of achievement in the sport. He still lacked the glory of winning the Dakar, which he finally obtained by proxy through his successive protégés, whom he trained and supervised on behalf of KTM. Firstly, Nani Roma became the first Spaniard to win the Dakar, in 2004. Arcarons then transmitted his knowledge to Marc Coma, winner of the 2006 and 2009 editions.
At the start in Buenos Aires, Jordi will once again be mounting a motorcycle with objectives of victory, but along completely different lines. This year his protégé is a lady, Laia Sanz, who is aiming at the title in the women’s category. Moreover Arcarons has taken on the task of accompanying her on the track to impart his knowledge to her: “My job is teaching. And Laia has been talking to me about the Dakar since she was 16. At the time of launching her project, I began by looking for a good support rider for her, until the day she suggested that I should do it myself. So I went back to the sports hall and got myself up to form”. With a teammate of Arcaron’s calibre, the young trial biking world champion is engaging in the struggle for the title with a major asset in her favour.
Week 2 in the dunes with Dirk on the old faithful 690…..the 690 Rally is on its way back to RSA for some tender loving care and to get race preped for its journey across the Atlantic at the end of November.
Just spent a week in Namibia training for the Dakar !
