For all of you following the 2009 Dakar Rally... there was 235 motorcycles entered this year with only one Husqvarna entered. The lone Husqvarna was a rally prepped TE450 and it was piloted by Johan Van Der Laan from the Netherlands . After 15 stages Johan finished 77th with only 113 motorcycles making it to the final checker flag. http://www.dakar.com/2009/DAK/LIVE/us/1400/classement/CGM.html This years event was in both Argentina and Chile http://www.dakar.com/2009/DAK/presentation/us/r3_5-le-parcours.html If you have a chance checkout the Dakar website: http://www.dakar.com/2009/DAK/LIVE/us/1500/index.html A big congratulations to Johan Van Der Laan. BlipBlip
Here is where there is a bit of background about him, found by clicking on the number 138 in the results http://www.dakar.com/2009/DAK/RIDERS/us/equipage/138.html I would be curious to find out more about the time penalties, seems his was over 7 hours, and some others got much more.
A great job and great to finish the rally. If any of you have been following the day by day highlights you know what obstacles all entrants are facing in this grueling 15 day race. To escape injury and mechanical breakdown is a victory in itself. I do long endurance races and this one would be a good one. I look forward to doing this race someday, planning alone has got to be 3 to 5 years. Any potential sponsors out there??? I'd love to put a Husqvarna on the Dakar podium.
