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Jan 4, 2005, Day 5 of Dakar:
"Yesterday's scheduled Stage 4 special test from Rabat-Agadir was cancelled due to very heavy fog. It was determined by the Dakar organization that the poor visibility would hamper the ability of support helicopters to render medical assistance to fallen riders.
STAGE 5 - AGADIR to SMARA: As advertised, today was indeed a very technical, very rugged, and very dangerous ride. Some would consider this to be the first sever test of the 2005 Dakar and I would have to agree. There were crashes everywhere with many broken bikes and injured riders. Unfortnately, the #16 KTM rider, Jordi Duran crashed very hard and sustained injuries that have ended his quest for Dakar. I was perhaps the first to discover him and it is miraculous that his injuries weren't worse. Throughout the stage there was carnage unlike any I have ever seen.
Despite the conditions today, I rode well, avoided crashes and finished 16th for the stage. As a result, I am now in 17th position overall. I had a couple close calls and managed to bend and disable my rear brake disc about 100-miles from the finish, but considering how some of the other riders have suffered today, I'm pretty happy.
My fellow Red Bull KTM teammate Kellon Walch #21 crashed in the same spot as Duran but fortunately he did not injure himself. However his KTM did suffer some damage. Until today, Kellon had enjoyed excellent stage finishes that had him in third overall. His exploits today caused him to finish 56th in the stage and placed him 46th overall.
Red Bull KTM U.S. Rider Chris Blais #22 rode great today, placed 8th for the stage and is now in 8th overall. Hopefully he can maintain his momentum and stay safe in the days to come.
Stay tuned for more tomorrow,
Scot Harden
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