Was anyone else disappointed by the Dakar rally this year?

[PirateJafa]

Leaving aside the disappointing but understandable retirement by Nasser, I have to admit that the bias of the organisers really left a foul taste in the mouth this year. They really didn't want to see anyone but a french-man sitting on the poles. Not only did they entirely turn a blind eye to Peterhansel shoving a bike out of the way in the Stage 9 river crossing - but they turned a blind eye to their golden boy's shameful display of poor sportsmanship having disqualified one of the Kamaz teams for hitting another competitor just a couple of days earlier. Pathetic, I hope that Gordon thrashes you next year.... **honestly**.


And then of course there was Despres who planted it into the mud. That is the risk you take leading the pack, and this isn't a rally on a smooth, sealed asphalt racetrack - a sportsman wouldn't be petitioning, but simply even more determined to make up the time.


Bring on what we can only hope to be a more sportsmanlike and fun 2013 rally.

[oldrider]

There was a Dakar rally this year? ..... Hmmmm! Oh yes, a motorcyclist was injured or was he killed!

[Crisis management]

Not at all disappointed with the rally, I was following Ned Suess (USA) and Chris Birch (NZ) on bikes and enjoyed the whole thing, great result from Chris, 27th in his first attempt despite a broken nose, concussion and a munted ankle. We are probably lucky in the off road community that we have had the opportunity to fund raise for him so have a more intimate involvement than most and that has kept the enthusiasm going.
I am disappointed in the coverage available here (NZ), it's non existant really and the most info has been available via ADV rider in the states where Ned Suess has a huge following. The Dakar organisers seem to release minimal and heavily edited footage which only covers the leaders, not much use to us mere mortals.


That answer your question?

[Bender]

You need to look a little further into Petehansel's actions and his explanation for hitting the bike in the creek - including being at the guy's tent when he arrived in to apologise, explaining that because of the conditions he couldn't see the bike when he entered the water and applying for and arranging a lost time allowance for the bike guy.

But there did seem to be a pro-French bias by the organisers, yes.

[jasonu]

It has been a boring piece of crap that hardly anyone gives a shit about anymore. (IMO of course)