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A Tragic Dakar Rally |
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2005-1-18 22:51:32
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The 27th edition of the Dakar Rally will go down in the annals as one of the most dangerous, the most difficult, and above all, the most tragic in its history.
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The death of Fabrizio Meoni has sent shock waves through the organization and team KTM, forcing Alfie Cox and Jean Brucy to retire.
2005 DAKAR SLIDESHOW
WEATHER RUINS THE DAKAR
The main cause of concern amongst the entire Dakar caravan was the dismal weather experienced during the major stages in Mauritania.
Three-time Dakar winner Rene Metge said, "I've been coming on this Dakar for 25 years and it's the first time that I've seen a storm last for so long, and there were a lot more difficult for the amateurs".
POOR NOTES AND FUEL SHORTAGE
Metge's comments were particularly targeted towards the terrible seventh stage between Zouerat and Tichit, where the amateurs started later with less powerful bikes and considerably less light.
Amateur KTM rider Pascal Corinti said "If we wanted to finish the stages before dark then we were forced to go quickly. At times I was reaching 170kmh, which is too dangerous for me."
MEONI DEATH DESCENDS DAKAR INTO MOURNING
If the terrible weather conditions and severity of the stages weren't enough to cope with, then the news of two deaths in two days, including that of the legendary Fabrizio Meoni, certainly shook the Dakar to its roots.
The initial reaction was for all KTM riders to quit the Dakar, but after finally being granted a day off from organizers ASO, not without consternation it must be added, the Repsol and Gauloises teams finally decided to go ahead in respect for their fallen friend.
BRUCY AND COX TO QUIT DAKAR
The deaths of Richard Sainct and Fabrizio Meoni has forced the more experienced riders to reconsider their involvement on Rally Raids. Alfie Cox is set to hang up his gloves all together while Jean Brucy has insisted that he'll never sit on a Dakar bike again.
"This was my last rally on a motorcycle," Brucy said. "I simply can't continue in these circumstances. Maybe I'll return in a car but this is definitely my last Dakar on a bike."
For South African veteran Alfie Cox, the risks involved on the Dakar have now outweighed the importance of his family and is strongly considering calling it a day in view of Meoni's tragic death.
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Producer:
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