Anyone watching Dakar 2024?

[Lightcycle]

Story for me this year is Mason Klein.

Really young rider, finished 9th in his maiden year at Dakar 2022. Stage 2 winner last year, but unfortunately crashed out with a head injury.

He lost his ride at Bas World KTM and was doubtful whether he would compete at Dakar '24. Then Kove (yes, *that* Chinese manufacturer) stepped up and offered him a ride. But... the bike arrived the day before the prologue stage!

Despite this, he finished a promising 3rd in Stage 1. But mechanicals struck him on Stage 2:

 

[Jayell]

Dakar? I never miss it. One of my favourite motorsport events of the year. It always makes the dark days of January a little easier to take. The motorcycle class is fantastic!

As for the cars, I always root for the Coronel twins, Tim and Tom, from the Netherlands. Cool guys; I'd love to have a beer with them.

Story for me this year is Mason Klein... Despite this, he finished a promising 3rd in Stage 1. But mechanicals struck him on Stage 2:

Is he out, or can he be repaired and re-join?

Get your daily sixty minute Dakar fix on RFM, or find shorter highlights on YouTube.

 

[Lightcycle]

As for the cars, I always root for the Coronel twins, Tim and Tom, from the Netherlands. Cool guys; I'd love to have a beer with them.

I like Nasser Al-Attiyah. Loved his attitude when he was racing with Toyota.

Also, liked the Audi eTron effort. That car looks badass.

Is he out, or can he be repaired and re-join?

More mechanicals in Stage 3.

Too far down to place well.

Sad, he's a really good rider.

 

[Hardwrkr13]

Haven't caught stage 3 yet but I love watching the highlights every year.
Also love seeing 10min of bike highlights then they do 10sec of quad highlights before moving on to cars because everyone hates quad riders

 

[Hardwrkr13]

Honda killing it so far this time. Nice to see Ross Branch and Hero doing great.

 

[Lightcycle]

Mason Klein 5th in Stage 5.

The kid is good.

 

[Lightcycle]

Klein is officially out with a 2nd busted engine.

If he doesn't get a factory ride next season, I'll be very surprised.

On the flip-side, not a good look for Kove... Not being able to survive a championship-level rider riding it the way it should be ridden to win races.

 

[MacDoc]

Age 77 and 33rd Dakar In a car mind you but still....Jean Pierre Strugo
Good coverage - I like these back stories.

 

[GreyGhost]

Age 77 and 33rd Dakar In a car mind you but still....Jean Pierre Strugo
Good coverage - I like these back stories.

Is that your plan for next year? Get a dakar under your belt?