"Marc Marquez has admitted the Dakar Rally is a race he would be willing to try his hand at after his MotoGP career ends.....What is clear is that for me, not on a motorcycle, it would hurt me. " https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/1018879/1/one-nonmotogp-race-marc-marquez-wants-try
I picked him to be a likely winner early last week after watching him saying in a post-stage interview that he'd slowed down to finish 3rd, so he didn't have to open the next day's stage. It was too early in the Rally to call it then, but I will now. I believe he's got Skyler's measure clearly in his sights now.
Yep, experience, injury, dissapointment and outright ability have combined to put Toby in line for another deserved/earned win. He's an animal for sure, and a smart one today. Cheers, Dave
I really enjoyed these interviews of Skyler and Mason on the rest day last weekend. Sharing their experience and emotions, as I've not often seen.
Smallest margin of victory ever in the bikes. Less than a minute, after 44.5 timed hours of racing and many more km untimed, traveling in the cold and wettest January ever in Saudi Arabia. Top 5 all within 4 minutes of each other. Great Rally to follow this year, imho.
Skyler Howes was definitely the interview of the event. Amazed at the articulate, calm and informative manner. It all seemed like well-edited stuff that would be part of a "follow up show" after the event, but it was off-the-cuff right after getting off of the bike! And having a laugh at himself for dumping the bike showing off for the cameras was great. This was definitely a banner year, I only wish that I could have had more coherent coverage. I would have definitely paid for that. As it was, I did "okay" with Red Bull channel and the (horribly laid out) Dakar page. The future looks bright for Americans in this race, both north and south!
Other US riders, who haven't been mentioned yet here. Jacob finished strong, with great rides the final days to finish well in his rookie Dakar. 22nd - Jacob Argubright (USA) KTM +04h, 21m, 56s 48th - Pablo Copetti (USA) Yam +14h, 10m, 05s 59th - Petr Vlcek (USA) KTM +17h, 17m, 57s 85th - Morrison Hart (USA) KTM +41h, 17m, 55s Congratulations to you all, gentlemen!
