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Team for Dakar 2010 under construction |
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Tuesday, 26 May 2009 |
The subscription has been opened, which means it's decision time for
competitors and teams about their Dakar 2010 participation. Until july
15 the online subscription is open. After this date we will know
shortly who will be at the start in Buenos Aires. Who will be there for
sure, is Team Honda Europe/Dakarsport. Slowly the team is getting
shape. With a number of familiar faces, and a number of new riders it's
looking promosing for next year.
 
A very familiar face is that of Mirjam Pol. Her goal was to win the
ladiescategory. After doing so, she now wants to defend her title in
2010. Tonnie Krabbenborg and Alois Ressing are two new rookies in the
team. Both have experience with participations in the Tuareg Rally in
Morocco, and have been active in the offroadsport for many years.
Recently teammanager Henk Hellegers was in the U.S. to look at the
possibilities to bring some American riders to the team. ,, I have
spoken to a number of riders, and it's looking good. In the States
racing is at the highest level, several desertraces are organised in
Nevada and Las Vegas. Most well-known race is of course the Baja. The
top in the world of Rally-Raids is thin, there are not many young new
riders around. I believe in new faces, riders for the future.''
Internationally there's a lot of intrest for the team and the Dakarkit.
Several riders from South America are in contact with the team. Off
course we will let you know here when the news can be published.
In the meantime small new improvements are still made to the Honda CRF
45X Dakar. After Dakar all engines were checked, to see how they
performed under the hard conditions in South America.
Hellegers: ,, We changed the engines at the restday just as a
precaution. Now we have the confirmation this wasn't really necessary.
To finish Dakar with one engine is no problem. We now work on some
small adjustments to the kit and the suspension. The gap with the KTM
690's is still there, but ASO keeps the 450 in account. I expect the
Dakar 2010 will surely be a great rally for our Honda's.''
The team is planning a 4-day test in Tunisia the beginning of october.
A good moment for the riders to practice under rallyconditions, and to
get familiar with the logistics of it all. Keep an eye on this website
for the latest developments!
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