Dakar Rally - Page 4

**Asp** · 11 Jan 2005, 12:09 (Ref:1198017)

Very tragic news just coming out of the desert.
After the tragic death of amateur rider Jose Manuel Perez just yesterday after his accident on Stage 7; it has just been announced that two times champion Fabrizio Meoni has passed away after an accident this morning out on stage.
Our thoughts are with the families of both riders - please pay your tributes in the threads in the Tributes Forum.
The toughest race of them all is sadly taking its toll more than normal thie year

Dani Filth · 11 Jan 2005, 15:37 (Ref:1198196)

RIP Fabrizio Meoni ..

**FIRE** · 11 Jan 2005, 18:44 (Ref:1198320)

Gil Abobeleira · 11 Jan 2005, 20:12 (Ref:1198386)

One of the true gentleman at the Dakar.

RIP Fabrizio Meoni...

sjw75 · 11 Jan 2005, 22:11 (Ref:1198521)

Rest In Peace Meoni.

R · 11 Jan 2005, 22:31 (Ref:1198544)

In light of the sad events, the organizers have decided to cancel tomorrow's stage for the bikes.

cybersdorf · 12 Jan 2005, 02:00 (Ref:1198653)

KTM should really withdraw its works teams from the event.

Liz · 12 Jan 2005, 02:46 (Ref:1198660)

I don't know why they ought to withdraw -- would it not be better to win it in his honour (and for Richard Sanct, my very favourite of the Dakar riders)?

The desert is a harsh mistress.

Liz · 12 Jan 2005, 03:01 (Ref:1198664)

I have bet on De Mavius and Caldecott.

I'm doomed.

chunder · 12 Jan 2005, 09:09 (Ref:1198765)

I think winning in an event to honour someone really pales into significance when you have already lost two of the biggest names in the sport in a few months and they are riding for your team. I can understand where they are coming from.
They have also said they are considering their future involvement in rally raid events, not surprising really, they do events like this to win and get good PR at a time whe there is nothing else on motorsport wise and this is not gonna do them or the sport any good, bit like the Isle Of Man really!

**Asp** · 12 Jan 2005, 09:16 (Ref:1198776)

I hope that no-one does pull out. As everyone was saying who was interviewed yesterday, the Dakar is tough - yesterday just brought home the realities very bluntly. Having today as a rest day is great to give people a chance to get their heads around what has happened. If by tomorrow the riders still feel unable to concentrate, then of course they should pull out on safety grounds. But I wouldn't pull the entire team out as a mark of respect - the best respect that can be generated is to go and win the rally in the names of Richard and Fabrizio. I'm sure it's what they would have wanted.

Gabrio · 12 Jan 2005, 09:18 (Ref:1198779)

Don't you guys think the organizers may have overdone it this year ? Or is the Dakar just suffering a wave of bad luck?

cybersdorf · 12 Jan 2005, 09:27 (Ref:1198787)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunder

They have also said they are considering their future involvement in rally raid events, not surprising really, they do events like this to win and get good PR at a time whe there is nothing else on motorsport wise and this is not gonna do them or the sport any good, bit like the Isle Of Man really!

And also, KTM is starting to produce road bikes now, and they have achieved everything in MX/enduro/raids. This might be the real reason behind it.

cybersdorf · 12 Jan 2005, 11:55 (Ref:1198876)

Cause of death for Meoni is given as a broken neck. Also, KTM competition manager Heinz Kinigadner states that he offered Meoni the position of manager for the KTM works teams before the Dakar.

KTM advised its works drivers to withdraw from the event but left the actual decision up to them. They will continue.

racer69 · 12 Jan 2005, 12:32 (Ref:1198912)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabrio

Don't you guys think the organizers may have overdone it this year ? Or is the Dakar just suffering a wave of bad luck?

Not really. Stages have been cancelled and shortened during this years event, as it was the stage that claimed Meoni had been cut by a third.

Psycho · 12 Jan 2005, 18:19 (Ref:1199136)

RIP Meoni
But at least he was killed doing what he liked, the Dakar
And has anyone noticed its not the Paris-Dakar, its the Barcelona-Dakar this year

**FIRE** · 12 Jan 2005, 18:35 (Ref:1199162)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho

And has anyone noticed its not the Paris-Dakar, its the Barcelona-Dakar this year

Yes, noticed. I think the rally is officially called Telefonica Dakar 2005.

Probably they started the rally in Spain because of tabacco regulations. Tabacco advertising isn't allowed in France so to keep Gauloises as a sponsor in the rally they moved to Spain.

johnh875 · 13 Jan 2005, 01:55 (Ref:1199513)

I agree entirely with Asp's sentiments. It is something for the individual team members (not just riders) to discuss and decide.

Liz · 13 Jan 2005, 03:06 (Ref:1199527)

I'm glad they are going to continue. But if any decide to withdraw, I will not say them nay. Everyone knows his own strength best.

Motorcycles are not safe. Even if you are riding them in your back parking lot.

gttouring · 13 Jan 2005, 12:08 (Ref:1199778)

OH SAd DAys
i heard that Fabrizio Meoni has fallen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

we have lost 2 great riders in two days
my thoughts and prayers to the families....

Cynic · 13 Jan 2005, 12:48 (Ref:1199791)

Unless the design of the bikes is in some way responsible for these tragic deaths I see no reason why the teams or the riders should feel obliged to withdraw. Let's face it, if you come off a motorbike at speed you are going to be killed or seriously injured period. The terrain you are on at the time is immaterial. I do think this years rally is too difficult though. I would think that having to cancel a stage because only a handful of competitors had completed it by 11 at night would be a good indication of this, although the ridiculous fuel allocation didn't help. I think the organisers have a a few issues to look at before next years event.

1200Datto27 · 13 Jan 2005, 13:41 (Ref:1199816)

I heard on the limited coverage that we get here one of the bike riders saying he was given 20 liters of fuel to do 300 odd k's, and his bike uses 25l/100k's

johnh875 · 14 Jan 2005, 08:52 (Ref:1200635)

I probably saw the same thing Datto, I was astounded that they would be sending competitors out into the desert in a sandstorm with not enough fuel to reach their destination. Bloody-minded officialdom at it's worst.

**Asp** · 16 Jan 2005, 16:56 (Ref:1202303)

Well, the rally's now over for another year.

Drama on the last day though has Hans Bekx was disqualified just as he was about to get onto the podium due to an illegal air intake system:
Information at eurosport.com

Stephane Peterhansel managed to stay ahead to win the cars - a great performance showing both his skill and performance of the Mitshubishi.

In the bikes, despite getting a 9 minute speeding penatly on Friday, Cyril Despres ahead of Marc Coma and Alfie Cox.

Quote:

Cyril Despres
"It was a good thing that the fight carried on because I think I deserve what I came for even more: first position," he said. "During the tests that we did in Tunisia, we had made the promise with Fabrizio to put a 'blue bike' on the podium.
"My main achievement is to have managed that goal, for him and for Richard," he added. "It's an indescribable feeling. I don't want to be sad but that's how I feel. I don't want to be happy but it's difficult not to be."
eurosport.com

Obviously a tragic race, but apart from the obvious sadness what are people's feelings about this year?

Kicking-back · 16 Jan 2005, 17:21 (Ref:1202314)

A hearty congratulations to Stephan Peterhansel for a well-judged, well-driven and well-taken win.

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