"Each day is a hard Stage!", Camelia Liparoti shares her first five stages of the Dakar 2012 from the mythical bivouac of Fiambalá. The quad rider occupies the 10th position in the quads overall standings until this stage.
The first stages of the Dakar 2012 in Argentina have been all difficult for Camelia Liparoti and for all other riders as well. 178 bikes and 30 quads took the start in Mar del Plata, and more than twenty are no longer in the competition.
The only lady in the quad category of the Dakar 2012 shares her experience in Argentina.
“Even if this year we are for the fourth time in this country, the tracks are interesting and different. We started in Mar del Plata in front of the Atlantic Ocean. We headed North, and the heat and long road connections haven´t given us a break!
The landscapes we crossed were just magnificent. Yesterday, during the stage San Juan – Chilecito, I thought I was in Algeria, in the canyons, red rocks… it was incredible!
I could not tell which of the stages so far have been the most difficult. Each one of them has been a challenge on itself. I am glad to be here, there are so many withdrawals… and I am still here with my Yamaha.
I feel in shape, and I am proud of my provisional 10th place overall, but there are still thousands of kilometers to complete before the finish line in Lima!”
This morning, the rally caravan must cross the Argentinean border to Chile by the frontier of Paso San Francisco at 4 700 meters from the sea level. Due to the weather conditions (more than a meter of snow!) the organizer decided to cancel this first stage on the Chilean soil. Competitors and their teams will carry out a modified itinerary and must join the bivouac of Copiapo in group. The race will continue with the loop around this city on Saturday.
Photos © Maindru Photo