Words: Francois Flamengo | Photos & Video: DO IT NOW Media
When Darryl Curtis was travelling around the country giving his 'post Dakar' talk after returning from the 2012 event, he gave us a much better understanding of what racing in the Dakar is really like. From life in the bivouac, racing in loads of dust and through fesh-fesh and crossing the Andes in freezing temperatures, to navigating with a road book that uses French descriptions (that are also abbreviated)! If you didn't have the opportunity to attend one of his amazing talks we've got you covered because you can read up on what he had to say in his article, Curtis Aces Dakar, which featured in the April 2012 issue of the magazine.
During his talk, I was very happy to learn that he would be entering the 2013 Dakar, which means that South Africa will once again have a strong representation at this prestigious race. This news was topped when Darryl told us he would not be entering as a rookie or amateur ... but as a Factory Rider (he receives factory support), thanks to increased sponsorship support from Broadlink and KTM.
He will also be riding with teammate Riaan van Niekerk, who will be making his debut at the 2013 edition. Riaan has made a big name for himself in the extreme enduro fraternity and claimed a number of impressive titles, including that of 10-time SA Off-road Champion. Darryl and Riaan go way back and have competed in a number of world-class international events together. Knowing each other so well and having trained together has its advantages in an event like the Dakar, where your teammate plays a vital role should anything go wrong. Darryl went on to say that with the extra support from KTM and Broadlink, as well as all his other 2012 sponsors, they will be able to participate at the Dakar on a very competitive platform.
But the sponsors only provide the financial platform, and Darryl and Riaan still had a lot of hard work to do before the start on 5 January 2013. Fortunately for Riaan, Darryl's experience (and great result) gained from last year's event helped him to get into the groove of things must faster. For example, one of the most difficult aspects that Darryl had to contend with in the 2012 event was riding at pace whilst navigating and trying to understand the French road book instructions. Riaan will go into the race knowing and having trained for this, and have a few little tricks to see him through. It's all about team work and as these two riders have each other's best interests at heart, I have no doubt that they will be a force to be reckoned with come race day!
To get their training underway and Riaan into the action immediately, the two riders entered the Marrakesh XRally, which was held in Morocco in March 2012. The rally gave Darryl the opportunity to get more navigation experience with the ‘funny’ road book and give Riaan his first taste of rally racing. Our South African lads did us proud with Darryl doing exceptionally well and clinching the top podium position, demonstrating once again what an exceptional rider he is. In second and third place was Thomas Bourgin (France) and Glauco Ciarpaglini (Italy) respectively, and all three riders are amongst the best in the world. Riaan also achieved his objectives at this race; to get the KTM 450 rally bike to the finish and also gain some experience navigating with the road book.
After returning from their successful 'Mission Morocco', Darryl and Riaan embarked on an off-road trip through Botswana for a few days. Their aim was to clock as much time in the saddle and really familiarise themselves with their bigger bikes by 'playing' in a non-rally setting.
Whilst at the Dakar 2013 launch held last year, I asked Riaan what is the one thing that immediately tells you that you're training for the Dakar, and he replied, "The size and weight of the bike." He explained that a rally bike is very different to riding a nimble plastic bike, and having a huge cockpit (that doesn't turn when the handle bars are turned and makes you feel like you are still going straight) in front of you with all the navigation equipment, also takes time to get used to.
The duo then made their way to Namibia for some seriously hectic Dakar training with Ingo Waldschmidt. This experienced Namibian Dakar rider arranged a training camp that started in Windhoek and took the riders north to Brandberg, then down south to Langstrand (between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay) and back to Windhoek via Khomas Hochland Pass, with only the road books to guide them.
Current national off-road leader, Louwrens Mahony, also joined the group. Riding on a plastic KTM 450 four stroke, he was fortunate to have his Factory Team teammates with him, as he quickly learnt that staying on the gas and never using your front brake is very important. Timing your throttle is also a vital skill and if you can't adapt to the terrain fast, you might end up trying to shake sand out of some odd places, or find yourself on the next plane to the hospital. Flying (not to the hospital) is super easy in the dunes and the riders had an absolute blast trying to outgun each other. By the time we caught up with them at the renowned Dune 7, they had already clocked up 70 km of dune riding.
Whilst riding up one of the steep slip faces Darryl had a low speed crash, but it was not the fall that surprised us, but rather the fact that the bike didn't want to start again. After several attempts to jump start it and checking all the 'normal' bells and whistles, Darryl decided it would be best to replace the engine so that he would be ready for the next day. Factory bike engines have a limited lifetime and we thought that it must have reached its 'expiry' date J. How wrong we were. Once back at Langstrand, Darryl quickly washed his 'pony' and then started stripping the engine. As he removed the exhaust sand poured out, stunning everyone. We surmised that the sand must have entered the exhaust when Darryl fell on the dune and made its way into the engine. This was a valuable lesson for everyone as it demonstrated just how easy your Dakar race can be GAME OVER.
The following morning Riaan had a similar incident and learning from Darryl's misfortune the previous day, he stripped the exhaust, removed the sand and was back on his bike in double quick time. Knowledge is power and life is so much easier when you have it!
By the end of the camp, both riders had gained valuable experience and been given a taste of what it will take to finish the world's toughest rally.
Training is one thing, but time in the saddle and applying what you know in a race scenario is another. So with the bike prep done, it was time to get some additional experience in a 'real' rally. This was especially important for Riaan, who had never officially competed in such a race format. And so the duo headed back to Morocco, this time to enter the Morocco Rally. The event proved to be hugely beneficial to both Darryl and Riaan because the riders competing at this event mirrored the field riding in the 2013 Dakar, and gave them an indication of their readiness. It was also an opportunity to put their KTM factory-sponsored Dakar bikes to the test for the first time. After three days of hard racing, getting lost in the dunes, honing their navigation skills and receiving advice from Marc Coma, Cyril Depres and Juan Pedrero from the #1 KTM Factory Team, undoubtedly some of the best riders in the world, Darryl and Riaan finished the race in a very respectable 14th and 15th place respectively.
With the Dakar 2013 underway this month, we wish Darryl and Riaan all the best and a safe ride.
GO BOYS, MAKE SA PROUD AND WE LOOK FORWARD to SEEING YOU AT THE FINISH!
dinFO
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