Day 04: Nazca > Arequipa

Stage 04: the ups and downs of Dakar begin

Stage 4 claimed some big names from the moto class during its testing 288km special. Were it not for some outstanding team spirit exhibited by Brett Cummings, GHR’s Todd Smith would not have found himself on the start list for Stage 5. Smith aboard his #156 bike was having a swift run straight out of the gate but was soon to be bitten.

“Well, what a day… probably the hardest day of my life filled with every emotion possible. I started the stage feeling great on the bike. Rod Faggotter (#131, Yamaha, AUS) and I were riding together having a heap of fun, tackling the dunes and doing whatever Dakar throws at you. I was working my way up the field averaging 14th throughout the stage.”

By the time the pair passed WP8 their stage times were separated by the slimmest of margins – only 6 seconds in favour of Faggotter. But around the 265km mark the tables turned.

“I was then faced with mechanical problems with just 20km left of the competitive stage and then 429km on the road. Brett Cummings came by and decided he’d tow me to the end – which proved to be a challenge in itself. We got stuck, and had to push the bike, but we got to the end eventually! I honestly thought my race was over… but my mechanics are working on my bike as we speak to get me going again tomorrow. I’ll start stage 5 in 127th spot, and hopefully have a bit more luck.”

Brett had already lost time early in the day and described the stage as “the toughest and most spectacular stage by far.” He will depart 124th on the road for stage 5 and stands in 91st place overall. Due to the extra workload sustained today his bike has also required work.

Day 04 - Arequipa 3.45am: Mechanic Jake Young attending to Brett's #89 bike

In contrast to his team mates, #131 Warren Strange had another steady day and finished 27th in the stage, 9 places above his start position.

Having a better stage than yesterday was quad rider #274 Paul Smith who hovered around 14th place for most of special. He brought it home 18th fastest at the end of the demanding day which claimed another 3 quad riders.

GHR times and placings: MOTO
30th #131 – STRANGE Warren (AUS) 11h01m11s (+00:50:33 behind leader)
64th #156 – SMITH Todd (AUS) 12h43m32s (+02:32:54 behind leader)
91th #089 – CUMMINGS Brett (ZAF) 13h36m20s (+03:25:42 behind leader)

GHR times and placings: QUAD
18th #274 – SMITH Paul (AUS) 14h11m28s (+02:50:02 behind leader)

Stage 5: Arequipa > Arica delivers the race from the mountains of Peru to coastal Chile for the first time. The bikes and quads will enjoy a relatively late start on the 136km special as the first on road departs at 08:30. Although conditions will remain rough, the rocky soil may allow Todd Smith to make up some lost time in terrain more in keeping with home. As the cars and trucks take a different route riders have some breathing room without the threat of heavier vehicles bearing down from behind. Total distance covered before the bivouac will be 410km.