Dakar 2023

[woundflatout]

11 Americans racing. History will be made! Hopefully they can all finish and we get a few into the top 5, if not on the podium.



My buddy, Angelo Vlcek is Front row far right. This is his 4th dakar on bikes and 5th total.

 

[skibum69]

The F5irehose is going over there.

 

[GMK999]

The F5irehose is going over there.

One of the last Gems on that site, RR's, Build threads, and Gear are also still holding their own there.

 

[skibum69]

Funny all of my subscribed threads over there are still good.

 

[nmroadrunner]

I miss the ride reports most of all - taking me places I'll probably never get to go.

 

[skibum69]

Mason Klein in his 2nd Dakar as a young man from the US has won a stage already. Very talented lad, here's hoping he can stay on it and not lose it. Off to the F5irehose to catch up.

 

[Richard]

I've kept a subscription to Peacock streaming on Apple TV. They have a pretty good summary each day. High resolution coverage.

 

[skibum69]

It's heating up getting the rest day and there are a solid 8 guys who are set to take the win. The depth of field these days is incredible. American Skyler Howes has been sitting in 1st overall for days.

 

[Richard]

Toby Price has been closing. He trails by three seconds.

https://www.dakar.com/en/rankings

 

[GMK999]

Yesterday there was ,8minutes separating the top 8 riders..

Today..The top three made their moves

 

[Richard]

And today the top three moved around again.

 

[MVI]

I''m a honda fan.

I guess the rider makes the difference ??

 

[skibum69]

Toby has been playing the long game keeping himself healthy and with striking distance. Honda has had some tough luck this go around with Ricky and Bam Bam crashing out.

 

[GMK999]

So does Toby have it with a 12 sec lead in a sprint that has a top speed limit? Or can KB make that up with pure acceleration?
Or what miracles does Skyler need to find the top step?

 

[nmroadrunner]

They're ALL winners in my book...every last one of them! Riders competing with broken bones, muscle tears and strains, bruises, exhaustion, and dehydration - if this ain't the toughest test of athletes, it's in the top three! Bravo all teams and riders/drivers/navigators!

 

[skibum69]

Runour has it some long sections with 90 kmh speed zones. How many spend penalties today? With the top riders so close that could spell disaster! I got up at 01:15 to tune in for the end.

 

[GMK999]

Wow!! What was the final gap between K.B. and Price? 40 seconds +- after 44 hours of racing?? Holy Crap!!
And props to Skyler Howes for Third!

 

[DJ_MI]

Good stuff!

In other news Howes takes first in the best mustache category.

 

[skibum69]

Toby said he was looking for at least one more waypoint than Benevidas and figures that's where he lost it. Amazing fun by the top runners and congrats to everyone who made it to the start line.