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Jan 6, 2005, Day 7 of Dakar:

STAGE 7
Update called in via Iridium Satellite phone from Team Co-Manager Joe Barker: "After a great Stage 6 performance by the entire team, Scot, Kellon and Chris enjoyed a night of good sleep, nearly 10-hours!, a rare chance to recharge their batteries for today's very brutal Stage 7 from Zouerat to Tichit. It's late at night here, so I'll keep it brief." (Photo of Chris Blais and Scot Harden by T. Flechsig)

Today's stage, the longest and arguably hardest of the Dakar Rally featured endless sand and nearly 400km of camel grass. As a "marathon" stage, the riders ride virtually unassisted and as of now, late at night, only a handful of the field has finished. Less than 40 riders, a few cars and only one of the big trucks. As far as you can see, there are small campfires, no doubt from bikers and car teams who either have broken down or have just run out of gas.

Kellon Walsh #21 rode in pain today, after some crashes he's experienced, but he's ended up being the quickest rider through checkpoints 1 and 2 (of 3) today. He is flying, but a huge 40-foot get-off today may have tempered his attitude. Nonetheless, he is doing a fine job and is showing that he has the stuff to be a force in the Dakar. (Photo: Chris Blais by T. Flechsig)

Chris Blais #22 finished 10th today, less than an hour behind Coma, the leader, and he is 10th overall. He's a very good rider, very smart and is proving to be an excellent navigator - a skill that will pay big dividends as the days wear on. Even on a day like today, where veteran rallyists are suffering big time, and many of them will not make it to the bivouac tonite, he's maintaining his game and getting Dakar in his sights.

Scot Harden #17 had another stellar day, despite a big 30-foot getoff, where he says he "saw God". His year of hard training and hundreds of hours of Dakar pace training in the deserts of California, Nevada and Mexico are keeping him where he wants to be at this point of the ride. Scot's got a few years on "the boys", Kellen and Chris, and today was not one he was really looking forward to but his condition is excellent for the battle ahead. Today, Scot finished 25th on the stage and sits now in 18th.

Tonite, due to the stragglers lost and/or broken down out in desert, the rally won't get underway again until 10am. The organizers have some announcements to make in the early morning so there is no telling what they'll throw at us. Myself, Dr. Jonathan Edwards and our great mechanics are still keeping things together and hoping for some relief soon. Until then, we'll hang tough. All the best to our friends and well wishers back in the States. (photo below: Joe Barker by T. Flechsig)