Putting in a solid performance in the Peruvian dunes, Yamaha's Rodney Faggotter secured his first top 20 result at this year's event.
Making the best of a demanding stage three, Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team riders Adrien Van Beveren, Franco Caimi and Xavier de Soultrait all remain within striking distance to the provisional overall leaders of the 2018 Dakar Rally.
Enjoying what was possibly his strongest stage performance in this year’s event, Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team’s Rodney Faggoter got his first top 20 result finishing the stage in 18th position. Three stages into the 2018 Dakar Rally and the Aussie is currently 21st in the provisional overall standings.
Rodney Faggoter – “I had a pretty good day. I started off with a good pace and kept my rhythm all the way to the finish. I am feeling really good on the bike in these conditions and this also helps me stay focused on my riding and navigation. We have a solid machine that is fast and safe at the same time and this is a big advantage in long races like the Dakar. I am having great fun so far and everything is going good for me.”
As the second rider to take the start of Monday’s stage three, Adrien Van Beveren was one of the first riders assigned with the demanding task of finding the correct route in the unforgiving, sandy dunes of Peru. With many parallel tracks in numerous parts of the special stage, the Frenchman made a few small mistakes, wrapping up the day 13 minutes behind the stage winner. Continuing his strong run of form in this year’s Dakar, Adrien is now sixth in the provisional overall standings.
Adrien Van Beveren – “It was a difficult day today but nothing is lost. Being among the first riders to start the stage did not help today but I did my best to remain focused. I had a few small crashes in the dunes. The sand was super soft and it was a physically demanding stage. Despite all the ups and downs during the stage, I am happy that I reached the finish without losing a lot of time. I managed to make the best out of a tough stage. My result might not be the best, but it’s not terrible. Tomorrow we have the motocross-styled start and I will be within the second group of riders starting the timed special. If it all goes well I will be able to make up some of the time lost today.”
Satisfied with his overall performance for the day, Xavier de Soultrait continues his considered run towards the finish of the race. Enjoying a good overall feeling on his WR450F Rally machine, the Frenchman found himself racing inside the top five for much of the stage. Making a small navigational mistake before the finish of the timed special, Xavier was 14th for the day.
Xavier de Soultrait – “I had a great start to the stage. My navigation was good and I was making up some ground to the leading pack. I think at one point I was fourth in the stage. As we were getting close to the finish of the timed special I made a small navigational mistake and lost about seven minutes there. It’s part of the game and nothing is lost yet. I have a good starting position for tomorrow and the rally still has a long way to go. We might only have raced three stages so far but this event is shaping up to be really hard and in some parts dangerous. Today there were many hidden stones in the tracks and you had to be 100% focused to avoid them.”