A

Philippe looks on as Fabian Planet discusses the days events with mechanic Clement Berard

Clement Berard hard at work on Fabiens Mecasystem KTM 525

Philippe practicing his English. "Where is the f#@%en air filter oil??"

Patrice had a big impact during the stage damaging his front wheel beyond repair.

It took some convincing before Patrice realised I could not fix this one! The impact also cracked the frame and created an oil leak.

A view from out the front of my tent. No chance of sleeping in here!

If you look closely you can see the broken navigational mount. Time to break out the cable ties.

Workshop Dakar style.

Christophe might have a smile on his face, but he was glad to get off the bike after such a long stage.

"I am not enjoying riding motorcycles anymore". Christophe would soon change his tune as Dakar approached.

This photo was taken at 9.30am. All the other riders were in by 5pm the previous day. Enio spent the night in the desert.

Enio had enough time to have a quick bite to eat and drink before heading off on the next stage. He was running on auto pilot.

With the help of the team, we replaced his front tyre, changed the air filter and refueled the bike. The radiator leak would have to wait, time was running out. I poured some pepper into the radiator which would allow him to make it to the next stage.

There was so much sand blowing around, it almost covered the road.

Some local women heading out of their house to do some laundry.

A "two donkey" powered cart.

The boys decided to share some potato chips with local children.

Probably not the best part of town.

Just heading out of town to the airport caught some of the assistance crews unaware. Some local guys helped them out of the bog.

The Gauloise KTM team.

KTM 690 of Cyril Despres

You can see why they weigh so much.

The ever popular Cyril Despres being interviewed yet again.

Cyril Despres. The eventual winner of the 2007 Dakar.

Just a little bit of work for me today.

The African terrain takes it's toll on equipment. A cracked swing arm in Patrice's bike was not the only surprise.

Remarkably a new swing arm emerged....

Photo: Christophe Barriere-Varju

Christophe carrying out the all important job of cleaning the sponsors logo's.

A minute crack in Christophe's swing arm meant another one to change. Better safe than sorry. Dakar is not too far.

Standing: Denis Martin, Unknown, Esteve Pujol, Fabien Planet, David Casteu, Christophe Barriere-Varju, Jean-Noel Cornuaille, Cyril Despres, Patrice Carillon, Andre Papin.

Front: Frans Verhoeven, Max Sullivan

Photo: Philippe Dasse

Another road section lined with locals. My arms were tired from waving.

You would be forgiven for thinking we were in the Northern Territory of Australia. Boab trees were everywhere and they tell me the "monkey bread" fruit is good for stomach upsets.

The huts were changing as we headed south. Thatched roofs on round huts were a change from Morocco.

Yes the Orange sign is there so you can buy your phone cards. Mobile reception was actually pretty good until we reached Senegal.

I am not sure if it is a taxi or bus. If you want to take your spare wheel and drum of water with you, no problem!

Just a little bit of a rear brake problem. Desert racing brings all sorts of surprises.

The Volkswagen team had a budget of 30 million dollars. It was still not enough to give them a win.

This 2 second tent was my home for 16 days. Mind you, it took more than 2 seconds to pack away the first time!

Not many comforts of home, but enough to get you by. Absolutely everything was full of dust by......about the third day!

100_2000120207

Philippe looks on as Fabian Planet discusses the days events with mechanic Clement Berard


	A.B.N. 61374397926