Dakar 2013: Day 09

Day 09: San Miguel de Tucamán > Córdoba

Jan 15th

Posted by admin in Dakar 2013: Day 09

Stage 09: No rest for the wicked…

With the designated rest day already fading like a distant memory, the 2013 Dakar is rolling once again. Resumption of the pre-dawn routine prepared the riders for their 176km liaison before 5.00am. Stage 9 to Córdoba was to be the longest of the rally and certainly made its mark on the standings. The arduous sea of sand dunes encountered in earlier stages has been left behind for the time being and the rally is firmly within grasp of the Argentine mountains. In their stead was an equally taxing special threaded though forest on 593km of dusty, rock-laden soil trails. They remained untouched by the rains from two days ago and so it was that dust played a major part in the outcome today. GHR rider #156 Todd Smith was in the thick of it, forced to pick his way through it due to starting well down the order for the day.

GHR times and overall placings: MOTO
“Following a welcomed rest day, Stage 9 proved to be a big one – 593km special with about 250km road section. It was another tough day, taking us up and down hills, around a heap of corners, all on really slippery roads. It was challenging, mainly because I started in 81st position and had to ride in more dust than I have ever experienced. I had lots of quads and other bikes to catch and pass… I ended up 19th in the stage so hopefully will get a better run tomorrow.”

By virtue of their earlier start positions today, #131 Warren Strange and #89 Brett Cummings were spared the worst of the dusty onslaught and their top 40 finishes will mean the same tomorrow.

The rest day refurbishment of his TRX700XX allowed #274 Paul Smith to push hard on the stage and he was clearly out to make an impression on the standings. Crossing the line 07:25 behind the stage winner, his 5th place finish brings him up one place in the overall.

GHR times and overall placings: MOTO
31st #131 – STRANGE Warren (AUS) 28h54m02s (+02:56:50 behind leader)
42nd #156 – SMITH Todd (AUS) 30h15m11s (+04:17:59 behind leader)
60th #089 – CUMMINGS Brett (ZAF) 32h09m53s (+06:12:41 behind leader)

GHR times and overall placings: QUAD
12th #274 – SMITH Paul (AUS) 33h53m46s, 5th on stage (+04:47:27 behind leader)

Stage 10: Córdoba > La Rioja
Tomorrow the course will remain on mountain soil. Stage 10: Córdoba > La Rioja breaks the southward journey into Argentina, turning north-west with a 37km liaison, a 357km special and a final 242km liaison to the bivouac.