8th stage: Salta - San Miguel de Tucuman
Link section: 417 km - Special: 183 km – Link section: 228 km - Total : 802 km
It was a restless night for the motorcycle continent bivouacking at Cachi as it poured with rain till 1 o’clock in the morning and the first Special was cancelled because of the mud. Jordi Viladoms, who had electrical problems yesterday and arrived last at the Time Check was prevented from leaving by the night Passage Control. While it was raining at Cachi, on the pass at 5000 m it was actually snowing! Jordi had to be escorted to the bivouac at Salta by a Tango medical vehicle, arriving at one in the morning. He was given a closed park where he had to leave his motorcycle. He worked on his bike alone and, after only a few hours’ sleep, he took to the road again, still escorted by the Tango, to reach the start of the Special.
But the adventure goes on... Early in the afternoon, the Special, cut down to 183 km, had been won by Joan Barreda who was able to start again yesterday. The earlier pattern has set in again… Those who start out behind make up time on those who lead the way. Johnny Campbell (Honda) came second ahead of Ivan Jakes and Pedro Bianchi Prata...
At 17h, most of the riders seemed to have finished the Special but a few were stopped at CP2, at km 86... We shall therefore have to wait to see what the Race Direction decides. Either the result at CP2 will be the one that counts or perhaps the Special will be cancelled altogether. Alternatively, they may add a fixed amount to the times of those who were stopped....
Tomorrow is a well earned day of rest for the competitors, who are now in Tucuman. This morning, JCO, Jean-Claude Olivier, former boss of Yamaha France, was killed in a road accident on the A1 near Wancourt. A truck driver lost control of his vehicle and crossed the barrier, hitting the 4x4 of JCO, who was killed in the impact. JCO was a legend of the Dakar, both as manager and rider. For over 40 years, he personified the sprit of the firm, taking part in the Dakar himself alongside his protégé, Stéphane Peterhansel.
In France, JCO helped an incalculable number of riders to make a career within the extended family of Yamaha France. From the first day of this Dakar, he was sending SMSs to Franck Helbert, the mechanic in charge of the Yamahas. He was so proud so see Yamaha out front in the Dakar once more...
All the motorcycle community and the competitors in the Dakar join the FIM in presenting their sincere condolences to JCO’s family and friends. He will forever remain a legend for all who love the Dakar!
Communication AMADLOZI Edition - amadlozi.blogspot.ch -