Northern Gravel Adventure Riding Club

**NordieBoy** · 4th January 2012, 19:12

Originally Posted by suzieq

IN FROM MONICA

chris had a really fun day he says! 33rd overall now

Yeah, but what happened on the run to the finish?
He lost about 18mins or so?

**suzieq** · 4th January 2012, 19:31

http://www.chrisbirch.co.nz/http://

In From Monica

Do you mean yesterday, day 3? He got lost just after waypoint 3, as did Marc Coma, and quite a few others. He said that is where he lost some time... but he said that day 3 was the most fun so far and is really enjoying it! you can see all updates on his site www.chrisbirch.co.nz too

Hope this helps

**suzieq** · 4th January 2012, 19:44

[Day 3 of Dakar - in 33rd place overall. Feeling fine, having fun, this race is pretty insane that is for sure! What a challenge, what an experience!

**suzieq** · 5th January 2012, 05:01

[Stage Program] - Stage 4 (04/01/2012)
San Juan - Chilecito : 326 km
★ Rankings before the start ★
Bike : 1. DESPRES (FRA), 2.COMA (ESP), 3. CASTEU (FRA)
Quad : 1. A.PATRONELLI (ARG), 2. M.PATRONELLI (ARG), 3. MAFFEI (ARG)

**suzieq** · 5th January 2012, 05:05

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn...2989856&type=1

Dakar 2012 Stage 4. Where they are going today! the challenge: 424 km of liaison and 326 km special

**Waihou Thumper** · 5th January 2012, 05:13

Waypoint 3 dropped to 149th place 1 hours 40 min behind the leader....
Either he has had a mechnical issue, got lost, puncture or Iritrack has stuffed up. But I doubt it.....
Must be something that has happened.....Damn!

**suzieq** · 5th January 2012, 06:00

I don't like to think which one of the options you mentioned

A tough race and a very tough challlenge Toooo much time lost so must be technical????

**Waihou Thumper** · 5th January 2012, 06:02

Still on the road, arrived at WP 4 119th place 1:53:01 behind Marc Coma.....

it will be interesting to find out what happened? There has been a swag of changes up and down the leaderboard...

Climbing back up

**suzieq** · 5th January 2012, 06:05

Originally Posted by Waihou Thumper

Still on the road, arrived at WP 4 119th place 1:53:01 behind Marc Coma.....

it will be interesting to find out what happened? There has been a swag of changes up and down the leaderboard...

Climbing back up

Still a long way to go Climbing Back up Must have been technical

**suzieq** · 5th January 2012, 06:11

I just had a heart attack *sob* Chris just phoned, he had a crash, he is FINE! Bike is broken but he can fix it, he just rang coz he didn't want me to worry! Deep breath ...

hiya!
yes he had a crash after WP2, he phoned me to say he was fine, not hurt, but had to fix the bike and he didn't want me to worry! WP3 in 149th and then WP4 in 121st so all fine now I assume he has fixed the problem and is racing hard.

**suzieq** · 5th January 2012, 13:51

http://www.dakar.com/index_DAKus.html

http://www.chrisbirch.co.nz/

**suzieq** · 5th January 2012, 20:18

#110 CHRIS BIRCH...
“I had a hell of a crash, a real big s**t mixer! Someone ran into me and off I went. I walked away without a scratch but the bike was quite damaged – the oil cooler was broken. I tried instant metal and that didn’t work. So I had to strip down the bike and bypass the oil cooler and work some Kiwi magic into it. I lost HEAPS of time I know, but it was all fixable and luckily I was fine. Of course I wish it didn’t happen but it’s not the end of the world and I am just going to get on with the rest of the race.”

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**suzieq** · 6th January 2012, 07:16

[Mag] - Stage 5 (05/01/2012)
A new challenge for the drivers: a sweltering heat on the Dakar ! Check it out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InyG5...1&feature=plcp

http://www.chrisbirch.co.nz/

Stage 5 win to Cyril Despres with Marc Coma second at 1minute 41. Third rider 12m 42 behind Despres.

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**suzieq** · 6th January 2012, 07:27

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Chris Birch in action during the 5th stage of Dakar Rally from Chilecito to Fiambala, Argentina on january 5th, 2012 © Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool

Mohammed Balooshi in action during the 5th stage of Dakar Rally from Chilecito to Fiambala, Argentina on january 5th, 2012 © Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool

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Johnny Aubert in action during the 5th stage of Dakar Rally from Chilecito to Fiambala, Argentina on january 5th, 2012 © Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool

**suzieq** · 6th January 2012, 07:32

Originally Posted by suzieq

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Chris Birch in action during the 5th stage of Dakar Rally from Chilecito to Fiambala, Argentina on january 5th, 2012 © Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool

Mohammed Balooshi in action during the 5th stage of Dakar Rally from Chilecito to Fiambala, Argentina on january 5th, 2012 © Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool

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Johnny Aubert in action during the 5th stage of Dakar Rally from Chilecito to Fiambala, Argentina on january 5th, 2012 © Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool

Chris finished today in 42nd and so overall 45th. caught a few places then, just keep picking them off boyo!! xxx sweet now I can go back to sleep!