More Monday Morning Moto News - Dakar Rememberances

The 2010 Rally Dakar is over and the scores, times and names are in the books. However, it was a huge event and there was at least one story for each competitor - if not more. So, let's take a look at some of the interesting news which came from the event and look back on the incredible race that it was.

First comes a story about the fourth Canadian to ever finish a Dakar event - Patrick Trahan. This was his third trip to the event, but first time to go all the way to the finish. That is not uncommon due to the harsh conditions and the ever-increasing risks associated with riding at this level. What a story...

http://tinyurl.com/ybl96p5

Next, of course, comes the story from the Italian Aprilia team, Team Aprilia Giofil. They had a very tough road and competed in a few other rallies before venturing to Dakar. They also put on one hell of a show at the event by winning stages and having one rider, Francisco Lopez, finish overall third. And, to make it even more interesting, this was the first Dakar ever for the Aprilia RXV 4.5 Africa.

http://tinyurl.com/ybjuhbl

A final overall race report - and it is long: http://tinyurl.com/ydmodfm

Next is the expected report on the winner of the motorcycle event, Cyril Despres: http://tinyurl.com/y9ava5c

Some great and colorful photos: http://tinyurl.com/ybewv5g

Sunday Morning Moto News - Dakar Stories for All

Well, the Rally Dakar is over now and we all know that Cyril Despres and his KTM won the event in convincing style. But, what we may not know are all of the stories around the event which ended several hours ago. First up are some stories on the victor, then there is a story about the American rider, Jonah Street. The rest of these come from various sources and will give you full coverage of the event. So, since it is Sunday, sit back and click on some links!

http://tinyurl.com/ye67crb

http://tinyurl.com/y96hycw

http://tinyurl.com/ycqhnxv

Jonah Street: http://tinyurl.com/yel8srb

Team Aprilia Giofil report: http://tinyurl.com/ye2d3cy

Saturday Morning Moto News from Dakar

Out of Rally Dakar we now have Stage 7 results. KTM's Cyril Despres and Marc Coma took the 1 -2 positions on the day and proved why they are racing in this event. Despres now has a commanding lead on all the motorcycle racers, with Coma right behind him in the overall points. Aprilia's Francisco Lopez has now fallen back to 5th place overall. Take the links to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/y9ef82l

http://tinyurl.com/yb7mhsg

http://tinyurl.com/yeaw3xa

Friday Moto News - Dakar Edition

Wow, another busy news day around here. First, on to Rally Dakar...

First of all comes news that rider Luca Manca of Sardinia crashed hard and was evacuated to a hospital for serious cranial trauma - no work on how he is doing now, though. It appears that Francisco Chaleco Lopez managed a fourth place finish in Stage 6 and remains in second place overall with Cyril Despres still at the top of the leader board. For more, please see the numerous links below.

http://tinyurl.com/y95euwb

http://tinyurl.com/yfnov5n

Day to day run down of victors for most classes: http://tinyurl.com/ybzay9k

Some photos and videos of the Dakar action in Stage 6: http://tinyurl.com/y928s3j

More photos from Stage 6 (all classes): http://tinyurl.com/ybafhpn

New Year's Eve Moto News - Rally Dakar Edition

That's right, the Rally Dakar is coming around very quickly now and we have some news about the event to go over in preparation.

First off, it seems that they have set up the course to be even more grueling than it was in previous years. 9000 Km of rough riding or driving across the South American nations of Chile and Argentina. It is some of the toughest off-road conditions in the world and it will be a real test of endurance, drive and determination for every participant. It all starts tomorrow, 1 January 2010, so get ready!

http://tinyurl.com/yzqjypg

Aprilia has released photos and information on the 2010 RXV 4.5 Dakar, which Team Giofil will be using in the Rally Dakar. Paolo Ceci, Gerard Farres, Francisco Lopez and Alex Zanotti will all ride the Italian off-road machine starting tomorrow, 1 January 2010. The team had a great 2009 Rally of the Pharoahs, so they are a real threat for the Dakar this year...

http://tinyurl.com/yhmrq49

http://tinyurl.com/yhdt3qy

Here are some important milestones of the Dakar:

http://tinyurl.com/yb9sajs

On the USA Today website:

http://tinyurl.com/ycuw7lj

There were other stories, but most of them were simply re-writes of these few, so we will stay with this group for now. More news to come...

Team Elf Sherco - All French Team - Ready for Rally Dakar

The team met in the French Riviera, David Casteu presented his Rally Dakar team to the public. They were shown before a group gathered at the local newspaper which consisted of dignitaries, politicians and many sports celebrities. The team immediately went to work planning for the rally and began practice the very next day.

http://tinyurl.com/yzz4vjy

http://tinyurl.com/yl5vt74

Rally Dakar Ready for 2010 Running in South America

For the second consecutive year, the Dakar Rally will be held in South America running between the nations of Argentina and Chile. It will be the usual competitors for the most part, but some newcomers are also expected to shine during the event. So, get yourself ready and take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/ygmm5bf

Xavier Galindo Joins Husaberg Factory Team

Galindo will focus on racing in extreme enduro events and in the Indoor Enduro World Cup. His main work will be the extreme races, but he will also back up the team in the WEC series. His history is full of tough challenges which he overcame to become a top rider or even champion in many series. Looks like Husaberg gas yet another winner on their team - Galindo is a four time Spanish Enduro champion with plenty of X-Country trophies lining his shelves.

http://tinyurl.com/yfwym8d

Another Preview of the SCORE Baja 1000 Race

Next week the race begins in Ensenada, Mexico, and it seems that the motorcycle press is covered in articles on this event. I cannot read a single page without running into yet another update on the teams running in the motorcycle class. The desert race is one of - if not the - toughest races for motorcycles on the planet, and it takes a great deal of skill and knowledge to compete there. If you are wondering who is going to be there and who you will hear about - probably daily - from the Baja 1000, take the link and read about all of the teams.

http://tinyurl.com/y9lpb45

Pre-Running Begins for the Baja 1000 Desert Race

It is the 42nd running of the event and there will be over 325 entries into the race. The event will run from 19 to 22 November 2009. Pre-running for the race will begin this coming Saturday, and more will be completed later just before the event start. Some very well-known motorcycle desert racers will be participating in this test of endurance, so make sure to check local TV listings to see if you can watch it - if you can't actually make the race itself...

http://tinyurl.com/yatdwuy

Update from Pharaons Rally in Egypt

This article is not the best as far as grammar and spelling - I think it was just translated using software - but it at least gives us an update of the Egyptian Pharaons Rally. It seems that Cyril Despres is making up time lost early in the rally and is closing on leader Francisco Lopez. For more info, just click the link and see if you can understand it...

http://tinyurl.com/ydu4j76

Rally Dakar Going Green?

For the first time in the 31-year run of the Dakar Rally (aka Paris-Dakar), flex-fuel vehicles will race in the prestigious event in 2010. The new class will mostly be filled with machines running on ethanol, a popular fuel in Brazil. Since the rally has moved to South America, this is a very logical way to pursue a more 'green' competition.

http://tinyurl.com/lolzkv

BMW Serious About Roof of Africa Race in South Africa

The 2009 Baboons Lesotho Sun Roof of Africa event is an extreme endurance event - perhaps the most extreme in southern Africa. BMW is very serious about its efforts here and will send their best team to compete in the event. It should be a great showing and a very tough competition!

http://tinyurl.com/meuerg