It was clear that it would be a tough edition. Michiel, Edwin and Wuf were confronted with dunes that they had never seen so high: gigantic and with many treacherous pans, sometimes up to 100 meters deep. Luckily they managed to avoid it!
It was a very long day, this first part of the marathon stage. They started well, but got stuck on a tile for a moment, and it took some maneuvering to jack the truck loose. Then Anja van Loon ended up with her truck on its side because she had to avoid a buggy. The team provided assistance, but it took 1.5 hours before both were on their way again. Michiel gained more and more confidence and things went better and better. They even overtook some trucks along the way.
Because the dunes are very slow to drive through, it seems almost impossible to cover 450 kilometers in 2 days; there are only 5 trucks left at bivouac B (out of 7), while Michiel is at bivouac A with 8 other trucks. The expectation is that the stage will be shortened tomorrow, otherwise it will really become a battlefield. In any case, more teams will lose time tomorrow. After the stage there will be a long connection to Riyadh tomorrow, where the rest day will take place. It would be a shame if teams only arrived there in the afternoon!
It is huge to experience, this heavy edition. It's a waste of time, but that's part of it. That's Dakar – it is what it is, and it comes as it comes.
Automatic translation of the Dutch version
Source: Becx Competition's FB official page
Disclaimer:
As a service to the sport we all love and follow, Rally-Raid Network posts numerous media releases from a wide variety of sources on our website. Due to the large number, and some times short time available, it is nearly impossible to review each public release. These articles are written by reporters or press officers who work for various organizers, teams, drivers, riders, and other parties, and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rally-Raid Network.
