Bridgestone’s new BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS AX41 enters the ring looking ready for some serious off-road adventure riding. 

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Bridgestone Launches BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS AX41

Adventure Touring Motorcycle Tire Made specifically with the adventure enthusiast in mind

TOKYO (January 10, 2019) — Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) today announced the launch of the BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS AX41 tire, a new addition to its lineup of adventure touring motorcycle tires. The newest offering in the BATTLAX tire line features superior off-road performance and durability. Scheduled for release in the U.S. and Canada in January 2019 and in other regions in February 2019, the initial lineup of BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS AX41 tires will include four front tire sizes and five rear tire sizes.

The BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS AX41 tire is engineered for predominantly off-road driving. This tire’s superior off-road performance is the product of a high-rigidity compound as well as large blocks on the tire’s perimeter that enable the tire to exhibit strong traction on muddy surfaces. In addition, the BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS AX41 front tire employs a new technology that optimizes the block wall angle for added durability.

Technological Highlights

1. Tread Pattern

(1) High cross-section area block (rear tire) The BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS AX41 tire boasts a block cross-section area roughly 30 percent larger than the previous generation tire. This gives the new offering high grip and traction.

(2) Block wall angle optimization technology (front tire) Bridgestone utilizes a block wall angle optimization technology in the design of the BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS AX41 tire. Tire engineers used this technology to optimize the block shapes in the tire’s tread pattern to limit uneven wear. This technology is also utilized in front BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS AX41 tires to prevent uneven wear and improve durability.

Tire blocks viewed from the side

2. Compound

(1) High rigidity and durability Rear BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS AX41 tires use a compound that contributes to an increase in rigidity and durability of approximately 30 percent when compared to rear BATTLAX ADVENTURE A41 tires. This enables greater traction.

About Bridgestone Corporation – Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.

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In the market for a Bluetooth headset? Check out the Cardo Freecom lineup. 

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CARDO SYSTEMS ADDS NEW VALUE TO THE BLUETOOTH CATEGORY WITH AN ENTIRELY REDESIGNED FREECOM+ LINEUP

Company Continues Its Industry-Leading Rate of Innovation, Delivering Best-in-Class Features to FREECOM 4+, FREECOM 2+ and FREECOM 1+

Plano, Texas (Jan. 14, 2018) – Cardo Systems, the global market leader in wireless communication systems for motorcyclists, today unveiled the redesigned FREECOM+ line. Available at specialty retailers and Cardosystems.com. The Cardo FREECOM 4+, FREECOM 2+ and FREECOM 1+ deliver new premium features to the four-way rider-to-rider, rider-to-passenger and single-rider categories while maintaining an affordable price point for the best-performing Bluetooth communication systems in the world.

Announced at EICMA in November, the FREECOM 4+ adds new value to midrange Bluetooth motorcycle communication systems, with premium features such as Natural Voice Operation and JBL Sound. Utilizing a new, redesigned shell, FREECOM 4+ sports a cutting-edge aerodynamic and ergonomic design with a razor-thin and clickable roller wheel.

FREECOM 4+ single sound profile offers the purest audio experience designed and perfected in JBL’s Los Angeles audio labs. Natural voice-command operation allows riders to simply say, “Hey Cardo” without having to press any buttons, and the always-on device reacts instantaneously. Additionally, the technology seamlessly integrates with Apple’s Siri and “OK Google” voice-command platforms.

Cardo FREECOM 2+ adds range to the two-way rider-to-rider category with a 500m/0.3mi bike-to bike intercom. Cardo FREECOM 1+, the redesign of the world’s best selling single rider Bluetooth headset, adds rider-to-passenger capabilities at the same price point for an incredible entry-level package.

“Our goal is to enhance the riding experience through advance technology across all product lines and offer the best-in-class Bluetooth communication system, at a reasonable price” said Dr. Abraham Glezerman, founder and CEO of Cardo Systems. “The redesigned and reloaded FREECOM+ lineup offers riders improved way to communicate with a product they already know and trust.”

FREECOM 4+ ($249.95 MSRP Single)

The FREECOM 4+ represents all of PACKTALK’s premium features in a Bluetooth system to create the best Bluetooth communication device in the world. Connect one to four riders with up to three-fourths mile range, experience Sound by JBL and easy-to-use natural voice operation, Bluetooth 4.1, and universal connectivity.

FREECOM 2+ ($169.95 MSRP Single)

FREECOM 2+ adds more punch with true rider-to-rider capabilities. Connect one to two riders with one-third mile two-way intercom, Bluetooth 4.1, immersive sound from 40mm HD speakers, and universal connectivity.

FREECOM 1+ ($139.95 MSRP Single)

FREECOM 1+ is the world’s most advanced single-rider Bluetooth headset now with rider-to-passenger functionality. The system features immersive sound with 40mm speakers, Bluetooth 4.1 and universal connectivity.

Cardo Connect is Cardo’s new intuitive mobile app for setting and controlling the entire FREECOM+ and PACKTALK line of devices on the road. Its clean, clear and contemporary design make it easy to use and the riding mode includes all essential functions for a smooth user experience.

All Cardo units are IP-67 waterproof, not simply water-resistant like lesser communicators, and all feature a two-year warranty and a U.S.-based customer-support system.

The post Cardo Unveils Redesigned Freecom+ Line appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Special stage six has had a detrimental impact on many competitors during Dakar 2019. 

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Racers Barely Stay Afloat During a Punishing Special Stage Six

As a Tidal Wave of Sand Washes Away the Competition

839 kilometers extending from Arequipa to San Juan de Marcona, zig-zagging inland to the coast, were lined with spectators. Their vehicles scattered across an open desert – raising the earth as they sped with purpose to catch a glimpse of the coming challengers. Some of those racers never appeared, however. While others rolled in bruised and battle worn – still unsure they could continue over the coming days.

“I’m very sad, and disappointed, to say that this is the end of my Dakar. On Special Stage Six… I guess it all started after Special Stage Three…There was a little kid on a moped…and he didn’t look…he just turned in front of me. And there’s nowhere to go; there’s nothing I could do, so I just grabbed as much brake as I could grab, and it threw me to the ground, hard. Which in hindsight is probably the best thing that could have happened, because if I would have hit the kid, I’m certain I would have killed him.” – Rookie Skyler Howes #72, Garrett Off-Road Racing team, USA

Anyone following Dakar might know, Howes’ race didn’t end after SS3. He rested his injured shoulder – which he’d suffered from the aforementioned crash, took some pain pills and woke up the next day for the Marathon Stages. Part One, his performance was respectable, but not up to his liking. Part Two, though, blew everyone out of the water, as the privateer is not only exceeding expectations for his third rally effort, ever, but he managed to place in the Top Ten during Special Stage Five. As is the case when competing with a fresh injury, Skyler’s shoulder wouldn’t stay in place for long. Within 30 kilometers of entering Special Stage Six, a minor crash caused his shoulder to dislocate. He reset it and continued onward. It was a sharp ledge in the unforgiving dunes which ultimately ended his ride, subsequently dislocating his shoulder for the second time.

Those first off the line were flummoxed by the complicated navigation. Errors allowed the latter top tier to catch up – possibly following or learning from their freshly laid tracks. Alas, the race on Sunday was difficult for everyone. Treacherous waves of soft, unruly sand, fickle weather and lacking visibility, plus, the pièce de résistance: a daunting ascent up a steep, Everest-sized cliff made of khaki-colored granules which don’t pack down but part ways like the Red Sea. (Poignant…? More like frustrating.) Before racers had a chance to reach the climax, they endured sand hills relatively smaller, but apparently not much less difficult to overcome. Even Xavier de Soultrait (#18), dubbed the “King of Dunes” among comrades, struggled to ride over some of those obstacles – making two or three passes at a climb. Still, a few challengers came out victorious. Pablo Quintanilla (#6) nabbed a stage win sneaking him just passed Monster Energy Honda Team rider Ricky Brabec (#15) in the General Standings where Pablo now sits at Number One just four minutes ahead of the American.

“It was a hard stage. I attacked from the beginning, caught Kevin [Benavides] and overtook him. At KM 290, I had a problem with the road book and was unable to read it, so I had to follow Kevin. We were near the finish when I got a fuel running. In the end, it was a blessing in disguise to have to ride behind because, if I’d kept on attacking at the same pace, I would’ve run out of petrol. In the end, it was a tough and stressful day, but it’s a fantastic finish.” – Stage Six Winner, Pablo Quintanilla #6, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Team, CHL

Anything can happen during a special stage. Something miraculous or catastrophic. Out the gate or moments from the finish, even a minuscule incident can change a competitor’s destiny in an instant. Something every man and woman coming to Dakar know: all their efforts – the training, prepping, raising money, competing – could be for nothing. But can they ever really know what’s coming until they learn it the hardest way? Today, one unfortunate fellow flew up over a dune and landed so abruptly, he broke both of his ankles. And a front runner, Lorenzo Santolino (#63), sustained a bad crash early on, which took him out of contention, though he is said not to have any fractures.

There are those who experience this fate before they even set rubber onto the racecourse. And others, seconds from victory. It’s how this rally business goes. The name of the game. It’s enough to break a man’s spirit. To bring those who are toughest to tears. But after the dust settles and the fallen pick themselves back up, the true test of character is in the grace with which one moves on. Because if we’ve learned anything from rally racing, the greatness of man is not measured by the number of his successes, but in how he conducts himself when facing failure. To sum it up, as eloquently stated in the novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain: “There is no dishonor in losing the race. There is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose.”

KEY POINTS:

Ø [Jose Ignacio] Cornejo [Florimo] (#10), who moved up to second place after race authorities returned the time that he had spent assisting fallen rider Paulo Gonçalves in stage five, ended up opening the way for several kilometers. As a consequence of this disadvantageous position the Chilean dropped time but managed to keep pace with his adversaries. (Statement courtesy of the ASO.)

Ø A recent injury to Toby Price’s right wrist hasn’t seemed to slow him down over these last six specials. Though it’s supposedly “…getting worse. It’s going to be hard, but we’re just trying to keep pace. We’ve still got four days to go. We’ll see what happens.” Still positive, for good reason, Price (#3) has managed to hold onto his third overall position.

Ø Reportedly, Laia Sanz (#17) and teammate Price had waged a bet at the 2019 Dakar Rally. If Toby finishes in the top five, he will receive a five-second kiss from Laia. While Laia can cut Toby’s “ungainly” mullet if she ends in the top 15.

Ø The Dakar Rally’s Quote of the day: “Yet another stupid mistake. The first special wasn’t too bad until I saw Nani stuck five kilometers from the finish. He didn’t signal for help, but after he helped me out two days ago, I felt compelled to rush to his aid. As a result, I ended up in a sand basin and lost twenty minutes. It wasn’t a mistake, it was a real blunder. Victory’s slipping away after too many mistakes.” – Stéphane Peterhansel #304, X-Raid Mini JCW Team, FRA

Ø Rankings of Americans after SS6

MOTO

6th Ricky Brabec #15 – 03h 58’ 17”; 2nd in the General Classification

8th Andrew Short #29 – 04h 04’ 41”; 10th in the General Classification

47th Garrett Poucher #71 – 06h 41’ 50”; 46th in the General Classification

54th Nathan Rafferty #104 – 07h 23’ 33”; 53rd in the General Classification

DNF Skyler Howes #73

CAR

TBD Blade Hildebrand, Bill Conger #367 – –h –’ –”; TBD in the General Classification

TBD Robby Gordon, Kellon Walch #316 – – –h –’ –”; TBD in the General Classification

DNF Cole Potts, Max Eddy #346

SIDE-BY-SIDE

3rd Casey Currie #343 – 04h 29’ 04”; 6th in the General Classification

Ø Top Ten Stage Finishers in Motorcycles

1st Pablo Quintanilla #6 – 03h 50’ 47”; 1st in the General Classification

2nd Kevin Benavides #47 – 03h 52’ 39”; 4th in the General Classification

3rd Matthias Walkner #1 – 03h 55’ 08”; 6th in the General Classification

4th Toby Price #3 – 03h 55’ 35”; 3rd in the General Classification

5th Adrien Van Beveren #4 – 03h 56’ 18”; 5th in the General Classification

6th Ricky Brabec #15 – 03h 58’ 17”; 2nd in the General Classification

7th Stefan Svitko #11 – 03h 59’ 07”; 8th in the General Classification

8th Andrew Short #29 – 04h 04’ 41”; 10th in the General Classification

9th Luciano Benavides #77 – 04 06’ 00”; 11th in the General Classification

10th Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo #10 – 04h 12’ 34”; 12th in the General Classification

The post Dakar 2019: Racers Barely Stay Afloat During a Punishing Special Stage Six appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

The folks at West X1000 give us an in-depth look into the 41st rally standings as it’s panned out thus far for Dakar 2019.

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Special Stage 5 Dakar Rally Round-Up

And the Rest Day That Isn’t So Relaxing

The 41st Annual Dakar Rally is firmly underway, and yet there are still five more specials left for competitors to prove their worth… Or get buried in the fesh-fesh. But before returning to the action, bikes and quads left on an afternoon liaison to a mini-marathon bivouac in Camaná near the start of the next special.

“I don’t know if it’s a dream or if it’s reality. It’s pretty wild. I would like to have a big margin overall, but it’s only one minute right now. So, I’ve just got to manage that for the next few days and just make it to the motocross start on the ninth day. The Dakar is never easy, but I never thought that I actually could be in the overall physical lead. I have high expectations, and I’ve put a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of money into training in the last couple of months for this race. It’s clearly paying off, and I’m happy with the bike. My comfort on the bike and in myself is really good right now. I’m really happy with my result [during SS5] so that way, the day after the rest day, I’ll be in a good position to push.

I’m hoping and crossing my fingers that I can win the stage after the rest day and make up some time, just trying to make it to the motocross start with a good lead. It would be making history on two counts: 1, being the only American to win the Dakar. And 2, breaking KTM’s winning streak for so many years. There’s a lot of weight on my shoulders there, but I’m not going to let it get to me. I just want to go and have fun, enjoy the moment and hopefully, we can make it happen over the next five days.” – Ricky Brabec #15, Monster Energy Honda Team, USA (Statement obtain by the ASO)

Day Five was full of twists and turns, and we’re not talking about the racecourse. For those following the footage via the live tracking feature on Dakar’s web pages, the (first set of) bike results were a surprise. Then, boom! there was an update – with no clear explanation. And finally, hours later, the finals tallies were in and the current standings were clarified. The initial motorcycles to physically cross the finish line, and fill in positions One through Ten, started with Xavier de Soultrait (#18), followed by Matthias Walkner (#1), Lorenzo Santolino (#63), Adrien Van Beveren (#4) and American Andrew Short (#29) at his heels. But in a turn of events, Red Bull KTM Factory Team rider, Sam Sunderland (#14), was granted minutes off his time for assisting Paulo Gonçalves (#2) after his race-ending crash which elevated the Brit to a stage win and slightly shuffled the bunch below him. Although this isn’t where it ended. Furthermore, a penalty for Walkner reordered the group one last time. (See “KEY NOTES” for updated standings.)

Special Stage Six has been so notorious this week some competitors were overheard offering each other intel on the coming challenges: the terrain, the technical road book, and also whom might be the most competent teams to follow in a bind. In a video interview recorded after Part Two of the Marathon Stage, Skyler Howes (#73) even mentioned one clever tactic – typical among the elite, we presume – where riders might stop short of the finish to let others pass, sacrificing their day’s standings, so as not to be first couple of riders off the line on Sunday. A strategy Howes admits might have helped him break the Top Ten on Friday. (Hey, it still counts!)

“…Unfortunately, Rest Day’s getting cut a little short. We’re heading to Camaná tonight – we have a 177-kilometer ride. And then after that, we’ll sleep on some little foam mat – whatever they give us to sleep on, get up early in the morning, and we have another 260-kilometer liaison to the start of the special. Looking forward to Stage Six. And hoping to keep it on two wheels and continue to progress in the overall standings.” – Garrett Poucher #71, Garrett Off-Road Racing team, USA

“Rest” is not the word many might use to describe the scheduled break from racing at the Dakar. When it comes to the media, bandwidth becomes as priceless as gold as members of the press, photographers and social media reps flood the internet with uploads, downloads, postings and updates. Add in the organizers, plus everyone else on campus trying to use gigabits, and networks start to move frustratingly slow. With every participant of the event back in the bivouac at one time, the digital highway there is akin to a traffic jam on SoCal’s I-405 during rush hour on a Friday. (You get it.)

For the mechanics, it’s a time for meticulous scrutinization of the machines – checking every bolt, changing fluids, fixing any problems the vehicles had endured during the difficult marathon stages, Part 1 and Part 2, in previous days. Teams attend to the chase vehicles, repack for the 11-hour transfer, clean up their camp to welcome current and potential sponsors and make sure their riders or drivers are rested, fed and ready for their next move. Most of the competitors enjoy a full night’s sleep – the only they’ll receive before the rally’s conclusion in Lima. But there’s no “rest” for the wicked. And as soon as eyelids started to peel open this morning, racers needed to work on their road books and prepare for an afternoon liaison for the night’s mini-marathon bivouac. With hopes to relax as much as possible for a reportedly technical, maybe quite arduous Special Stage Six.

Every day the stages seem to escalate in difficulty. Predictably, many competitors fall out of the race, for whatever the reason, but it’s those whom can endure which draw us in tightly. What seems to captivate us most. It’s that challenger’s ability to – over and over again – fall off the “horse,” dust themselves off, climb back on and continue riding into the sunset… At full speed.

KEY POINTS:

Ø Unfortunately, we didn’t see a couple of the rally’s more inspirational figures yesterday since withdrawing at Special Stage Four: female Malle Moto hopeful, Sara Garcia (#98) from Spain and Italian paraplegic rider, Nicola Dutto (#143).

Ø 100 kilometers from the finish, Rookie Skyler Howes (#73) suffered a road book malfunction which essentially forced him to ride for 50KMs blind – only following the tracks in the ground. When he reached the dunes, he stopped to wait for a friendly face, Sam Sunderland (#14) in this case, to help guide him to the finish and avoid unforeseen dangers.

Ø After speaking with Team Speed co-pilot Max Eddy Jr. (#346), some clarification was offered. Gordon (#316) and Potts (#346) will continue the race on Sunday alongside third driver Blade Hildebrand (#367) despite experiencing some major incidents. Gordon, as well as Potts, seemed to have withdrawn from the race in SS4 but the ASO made a statement Friday morning announcing Gordon would in-fact race Part Two of the Marathon stage. Cole Potts and navigator Max Eddy Jr. will start again with the cars during SS6, however, it’s confirmed they are no longer in contention.

Ø A statement from the ASO: “It is still not the year for Paulo Gonçalves, who started the Dakar enthusiastically, after having doubted he would take part following an operation on his spleen several weeks before the rally. The Portuguese rider was sixth in the general standings this morning, but once again crashed severely after KM 155. With a head injury and a suspected broken right hand, he was forced to drop out of the race for the 5th time out of 12 participations in his career on the Dakar. After the premature exit of Joan Barreda, this mishap is not good news for Honda, even if they are leading the race at the half way point thanks to Ricky Brabec.”

Ø Rankings of Americans after SS5

MOTO
6th Andrew Short #29 – 04h 16’ 24”; 10th in the General Classification
12th Ricky Brabec #15 – 04h 18’ 34”; 1st in the General Classification
10th Skyler Howes #73 – 04h 17’ 48”; 18th in the General Classification
35th Garrett Poucher #71 – 05h 03’ 03”; 48th in the General Classification
60th Nathan Rafferty #104 – 06h 16’ 41”; 58th in the General Classification

CAR
44th Blade Hildebrand, Bill Conger #367 – 09h 16’ 06”; 43rd in the General Classification
63rd Robby Gordon, Kellon Walch #316 – 34h 00’ 00”; 62nd in the General Classification
DNF Cole Potts, Max Eddy #346

SIDE-BY-SIDE
5th Casey Currie #343 – 07h 15’ 10”; 6th in the General Classification

Ø Standings for Women after SS5

MOTO
20th Laia Sanz #17 – 04h 27’ 09”; 19th in the General Classification
57th Mirjam Pol #55 – 06h 13’ 07”; 64th in the General Classification
72nd Anastasiya Nifontova #56 – 07h 14’ 29”; 87th in the General Classification
97th Gabriala Novotna #57 – 12h 40’ 24”; 97th in the General Classification
DNF Sara Garcia #98

CAR
49th Camelia Liparoti, Rosa Romero Font #371 – 08h 59’ 00”; 52nd in the General Classification
55th Andrea Patricia Lafarja Bittar, Eugenio Arrieta #426 – 10h 27’ 00”; 56th in the General Classification
57th Cristina Gutierrez Herrero, Pablo Monero Huete #351 – 12h 02’ 19”, 38th in the General Classification
58th Fernanda Kanno, Alonso Carrillo #411 – 12h 43’ 39”; 59th in the General Classification

SIDE-BY-SIDE
20th Annett Fischer, Andrea Peterhansel #385 – 27h 29’ 34”; 16th in the General Classification
19th Olga Rouckova, Daniel Zelenka #435 – 27h 29’ 34”; 23rd in the General Classification

Ø Top Ten Stage Finishers in Motorcycles

1st Sam Sunderland #14 – 04h 11’ 48”; 2nd in the General Classification
2nd Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo #10 – 04h 14’ 13”; 14th in the General Classification
3rd Xavier de Soultrait #18 – 04h 15’ 11”; 8th in the General Classification
4th Lorenzo Santolino #63 – 04h 15’ 48”; 11th in the General Classification
5th Adrien Van Beveren #4 – 04h 16’ 14”; 5th in the General Classification
6th Andrew Short #29 – 04h 16’ 24”; 10th in the General Classification
7th Luciano Benavides #77 – 04 16’ 24”; 13th in the General Classification
8th Stefan Svitko #11 – 04h 16’ 53”; 9th in the General Classification
9th Toby Price #3 – 04h 17’ 33”; 4th in the General Classification
10th Skyler Howes #73 – 04h 17’ 48”; 18th in the General Classification

The post Dakar 2019: Special Stage 5 Dakar Rally Round-Up and Rest Day appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

WestX1000 brings us coverage of special stage five at Dakar 2019.

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SS5, Part Two of the Marathon Claimed Its Victims

With a Head-to-Head Start this Foggy Friday Morning, Competitors Prepared for an Epic Battle

Leaving the start at 8a.m. local time in waves, or rows of ten at five-minute intervals, the racers knew they were in for an all-out attack within the first several kilometers of Special Stage Five. But for the most ambitious competitors, the war waged until the close and those who couldn’t soldier on fell victim to the dust.

Departing in the second lineup at 8:05a.m., Rockstar Husqvarna Factory rider Andrew Short (#29) jumped into second place while teammate Pablo Quintanilla (#6) quickly caught up and took first. Another American, rookie Skyler Howes (#15) too broke through the pack into third. Maybe they’d taken advantage of the fresh tracks laid down by the first group? But all’s fair in Love and War, and the special stages at Dakar can stretch across hundreds of kilometers of battlefield for the rally’s respective warriors looking to finish each day victorious.

The top guys have been zig-zagging in and out of the premier positions all morning. Quintanilla seemed comfortable leading until something set him back nearly a minute behind Kevin Benavides (#47) who managed to overtake the group by WP4. The Honda rider bested Adrien Van Beveren (#4) by only 6 seconds and Toby Price (#3) by 8 seconds. Furthermore, fourth-placed rider, Lorenzo Santolino (#63), trailed by only 9 seconds. Part Two of the Marathon stage here at Dakar has been wild! Launching in waves, the competitors, especially in the front, have been at each other’s throats all day long!

On another note, the inspiring story of Nicola Dutto (#143), paraplegic motorcycle racer at Dakar, has concluded this morning in Moquegua. The Italian rider has been announced as a non-starter on the day’s special, just as his companions in this adventure, Pablo Toral (#144) and Julián Villarrubia (#146). In a surprising turn of events, front-runner, official Honda racer, Paulo Gonçalves has ended his 12th Dakar journey far short of the finish line, enduring a severe fall after kilometer 155. It’s possible he’s suffered a slight head injury and a broken hand.

Meanwhile, the ASO retracted their previous statements about driver Robby Gordon’s (#316) withdrawal yesterday. Apparently, Gordon made it to the race course, albeit among the last group to start. But Team Speed still tolerated yet another huge blow when their second car driven by Americans Cole Potts and Max Eddy Jr. (#346) officially withdrew during Special Stage Four, noted early this morning. Although, word around town is the organization will let them rejoin the race on Sunday – a statement still needing confirmation. However, it’s US driver Blade Hildebrand and co-pilot Bill Conger #367 who’ve kept up a solid pace all day, hitting WP1 00:35:41 behind front runner, Carlos Sainz (#300) though they are yet to land at the finish line.

Quintanilla regained the lead after 227 km, 14 seconds in front of his team-mate Andrew Short, as they crossed WP5. With Van Beveren and Price hot on their tails. Howes is keeping his head up in an ocean of sharks, by the final Waypoint reaching the 6th seed and fighting for a 9th place finish in a triumphant effort from the navigation novice!

In the last kilometers of an incredible special, mayhem unfolded as Xavier de Soultrait (#18) came out of the woodwork to secure his second first-place finish at the 2019 Dakar Rally. Matthias Walkner (#1) predictably wound up in the winner’s circle at 2nd with Lorenzo Santolino 28 seconds behind, claiming 3rd. This Part Two of the Marathon special, five strong riders came out on top:

1st Xavier de Soultrait #18 04h 15’ 11”; 8th in the General Classification

2nd Matthias Walkner #1 04h 15’ 20”; 4th in the General Classification

3rd Lorenzo Santolino #63 04h 15’ 48”; 11th in the General Classification

4th Adrien Van Beveren #4 – 04h 16’ 14”; 5th in the General Classification

5th Andrew Short #29 – 04h 16’ 24”; 10th in the General Classification

Ø Top Ten Stage Finishers in Motorcycles

1st Xavier de Soultrait #18 04h 15’ 11”; 8th in the General Classification

2nd Matthias Walkner #1 04h 15’ 20”; 4th in the General Classification

3rd Lorenzo Santolino #63 04h 15’ 48”; 11th in the General Classification

4th Adrien Van Beveren #4 – 04h 16’ 14”; 5th in the General Classification

5th Andrew Short #29 – 04h 16’ 24”; 10th in the General Classification

6th Luciano Benavides #77 – 04 16’ 24”; 13th in the General Classification

7th S. Svitko #11 – 04h 16’ 53”; 9th in the General Classification

8th Toby Price #3 – 04h 17’ 33”; 3rd in the General Classification

9th Skyler Howes #73 – 04h 17’ 48”; 18th in the General Classification

10th Ricky Brabec #15 – 04h 18’ 34”; 1st in the General Classification

“Today the riders [will complete] the marathon Stage. Ricky is riding to plan. We have a day off and then the second half of Dakar starts. This is a critical point where they will really test the riders’ navigation skills. We will keep pushing and crafting in the following days!” – Johnny Campbell, HRC’s Team official

UPDATE:

“At the conclusion of Special Stage Five, we saw Xavier de Soultrait (#18) at the front with Walkner (#1), Santolino (#63), Beveren (#4) and Short (#29) at his heels. But after consideration from the ASO, Sam Sunderland (#14), whom had stopped today to assist Paulo Gonçalves (#2) after his game-ending crash, reportedly awarded Sunderland extra minutes off his resulting time, elevating Sam to first place. Meanwhile, Walkner incurred a 3-minute penalty, subsequently reordering today’s results.

The time removed from Sam’s score was surely appreciated as the #14 Red Bull KTM Factory Team rider had slowed once more in the last leg of the special to offered guidance to rookie Skyler Howes (#73) whose road book had split 100 kilometers from the finish, leaving him blind. Motorcycles are trickling into the bivouac in Arequipa after a long Marathon and another roughly 200 kilometers of liaison. Just another exciting day at Dakar!”

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