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Jan 10, 2005 – Day 11 of Dakar

STAGE 10 Atar, Mauritania > Atar, Mauritania

Today, as advertised by the Dakar promoters, we received a reality test as we encountered 3 major challenges including MEGA dunes, another 90km section of camel grass and tough dune crossings. My strategy was to just ride more precisely, well within my limit and do my best not to make any mistakes. Thanks to pulled groin muscles suffered on Stage 9, I rode with about 6-rolls of tape wrapped to my leg. Dr. Edwards gave me some anti-inflamatories and I felt surprisingly well, considering how bad I was feeling when I last rode.

Heading out onto the stage loop we faced a miserable sandstorm straight into our faces. I’ve now become accustomed to sideways blowing wind but I am really, really over it and very much looking forward to a change of climate. We've been in this same howling sandstorm for an entire week and it’ll be great to get out of Mauritania tomorrow as the rally heads south into Mali. By the end of my ride today, I was sore but still riding pretty well and I only dropped a few minutes. I ended the stage in 20th and I'm currently 18th overall in the rally standings.

A note about our team physician, Dr. Jonathan Edwards. Without his care, the Red Bull KTM U.S. Dakar Team would be in a bad way, myself in particular. He’s an outstanding person; very knowledgeable about his field and without his care we would not be in the position that we currently enjoy. Many of you also may be aware that he has a motorcycle racing background and his treatments are based on his own personal experiences, too. Doc, I am proud to have him on our team and as a friend.

Chris Blais #22 crashed today, hitting a hole in the soft sand that sucked his front end and stopped the bike.  He's escaped with a bruised leg and his KTM is a little bent. Other than that, he had a good day with a 10^th for the stage and 11^th overall for the rally.

Kellon Walch #21 rode with Chris today and handled all the challenges without incident. He finished the day in 11^th and has now moved up to 10^th overall. What a performance these young guys are putting in. Outstanding.

Despres breakaway: KTM factory star Cyril Despres #2 broke away from the lead pack and put a nearly 10-minute lead on the leaders. The 30-year-old Frenchman is one hell of a rallyist and great navigation today in the dunes and aggressive riding did the trick. Today he started back in the pack, charged hard for the leaders and put together a really good ride. His is what I believe to be the biggest lead of the rally.

The protest that some riders talked about staging to voice their complaints yesterday did not happen. The Dakar Rally organizers listened to their gripes and made some concessions in an effort to address problems during the marathon stage 7. The riders said their piece, everyone was cool and no protest was waged. The rally moves on.

We received sad news today that Spanish rider Jose Manuel PEREZ #69 died from his injuries suffered during Stage 7. This news put a damper on the entire rally and we are all very saddened by his loss. Jose was 41-yrs old and this was his 4th Dakar.

The protest did not happen. The organizers made some concessions to the racers to address many of the complaints resulting from the marathon stage 7. The riders said their piece, everyone was cool and no protest was waged. The rally moves on.