DAKAR 2011 - January 1st thru 16th

[leeo45]

Dakar 2011 begins January 1st.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VYoOp-nJ9k
(I couldn't get the video to imbed)

Official Site:   http://www.dakar.com/index_DAKus.html

U.S. coverage:  The Dakar website lists North America coverage by VERSUS and OLN, but nothing is listed in their schedules yet.   

The 2011 route:

[photomd]

Cool...thanks. 

[Renegade]

Bad Ass, looking forward to this in HD!

[leeo45]

Still nothing showing on the Versus and OLN schedules.   

In the meantime, another rally video.   It gives a good idea of the terrain and the scenery on the South America route.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2m0vGjOVkI

Eurosport UK preview of the 2011 event (6 videos):

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/07122010/58/destination-dakar-1-6.html

Promo for the new KTM 450Rally

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n-KaTgbir0

[leeo45]

Well, the good news is that Versus has finally started showing info on the 2011 installment of the Dakar Rally.

http://www.versus.com/shows/dakar-rally

Times are EST and apply to VS and VSHD:
Mon, 3rd Jan 12:00 AM
Mon, 3rd Jan 3:30 PM
Tue, 4th Jan 1:00 AM
Tue, 4th Jan 3:30 PM
Wed, 5th Jan 12:00 AM
Wed, 5th Jan 3:30 PM
Wed, 5th Jan 7:30 PM
Thu, 6th Jan 12:00 AM
Thu, 6th Jan 3:30 PM
Thu, 6th Jan 7:00 PM
Fri, 7th Jan 12:00 AM

The bad news is that this schedule would seem to imply that the coverage will be delayed by two days.   

As has been the case for the last five years, the usual internet sources will still be the best source of information and coverage.

[Mike-H]

Any information is better then no information.......

[leeo45]

ASO has released an official app for the iPhone for those interested (FREE).   It seems to work well, and once the race starts will have real-time tracking, additonal route info, and videos.

iTunes Link:  Personal Dakar Rally 2011

[leeo45]

Stage 2 Video coverage from SBS (Australia)

SPOILERS, includes results for the day

http://player.sbs.com.au/dakar/#/dakar/highlights/highlights/playlist/Dakar-Stage-2-Bikes/

EDIT +++

Stage 3:
http://player.sbs.com.au/dakar/#/dakar/highlights/highlights/playlist/Dakar-Stage-3-Bikes/

Short interview with Jonah Street (Yamaha WR450):
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/04012011/58/itw-jonah-street.html

[leeo45]

Stage 7 video recap:
   http://player.sbs.com.au/dakar/#/dakar/highlights/highlights/playlist/Dakar-Stage-7-Bikes/


Some amazing scenes today in the Chilean sand dunes along the Pacific coast.   Here's a pic of today's stage winner Chaleco Lopez


Also, unofficially annouced today that the 2012 Dakar will include stages in Peru; probably starting in Buenos Aires and ending in Lima.

[photomd]

Come on Jonah Street! I hope he can break into the top 5. It'll also be fun to watch the drama between the VW team mates.