STAGE 7 – GRIDER CRASHES OUT OF THE DAKAR
STAGE 7 ? GRIDER CRASHES OUT OF THE DAKAR |
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Zou?t to Atar
It was a tough Stage 7 for the Red Bull KTM US Dakar team with devastating consequences for team rookie, Andy Grider #23. After surviving two difficult, very lengthy stages through Morocco and Mauritania Grider and his Red Bull KTM teammate Chris Blais #9, joined the course out of Zouerat, both looking forward to warmer weather and the challenge of the first major dunes of the rally. Yesterday’s dramatic Stage 6 was riddled with crashes and serious outcomes not the least of which saw the front runner, Cyril Despres #1, limping into the bivouac last night with a dislocated collar bone. He managed to gather himself up for a courageous attempt at Stage 7 but for all intents and purposes the Frenchman?s dreams for a podium spot are on hold until next year. From a competitive standpoint, Despres? dire situation fueled more than a few late strategy sessions in the tents last night. JOE BARKER, RED BULL KTM US DAKAR TEAM MANAGER – “Today was really going well for us. With the inverted (reverse order) start the opportunity to ride fast without lots of technical navigation challenges early on suited Chris and Andy well.” DISASTER IN THE SAND – Unfortunately, Mauritanias infamous soft < Grider was just ahead of KTM rider Viladoms #21 when his crash occurred. According to Viladoms, Grider flew fast and far, completely clearing the long sand embankment they were both negotiating eventually impacting his back on the hard desert floor. Grider immediately rose climbed back up the embankment and attempted to restart his #23 KTM. However, the gravity of his situation immediately sunk in. His day and his Dakar Rally hopes were over with. After a helicopter ride back to the bivouac, an examination by rally doctors as well as the Red Bull KTM US Dakar team physician, Dr. Jonathan Edwards, Grider was flown to a hospital in the Canary Islands. Upon learning of his situation, Grider?s family members curtailed their stay in Europe to join him. Preliminary reports are that Grider is stable and his injuries were not deemed serious or life threatening. BLAIS BLAZES ON ? By contrast to his teammate?s day, Chris Blais #9, had a smooth, non-eventful Stage 7 adventure. His approach to the Dakar is one of solid determination and cunning. As a second year vet, Blais is well aware that the real racing takes place in the later stages when lack of sleep, fatigue, injury and the elements will begin exacting revenge on the entire rally. “Chris is cool and calm,” observed team manager Joe Barker, “He rides his own race, at his own pace and all he has to do is look around him to see that all the effort is for not if he doesn?t make it to Dakar.” Blais survived the dunes, camel grass, high-speeds and rocky plateaus over the nearly 500km+ stage. He arrived at the bivouac comfortably in 13th position for the day and now sits in 12th place overall. Rankings : |
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