RACERS SHOW THEIR RESPECT FOR COLLEAGUE
10 January 2006 - BMW Motorrad GB

2006 Euromilhões Lisbon to Dakar Rally. Day 11 of 15 Kiffa to Kayes (333km)

As a mark of respect for the death of Australian rider Andy Caldecott, who died yesterday, the organisers agreed with the riders to neutralise the tenth stage of the rally. This meant that for the entire field of bike racers today’s leg was a liaison stage and the times would not count towards their overall standings.

The field started leaving the camp at 8.30am with the stage winner from yesterday, Cyril Despres being the first away. The competitors were given ten hours to cover the 333km from Kiffa to Kayes in Mali. Race to Dakar rider Simon Pavey finished the day in 99th position.

Yesterday’s stage unfortunately saw the retirement of Pavey’s Race to Dakar team mate, Matt Hall from this year’s event. Hall who was competing in his first Dakar Rally had already passed the first two checkpoints when he ran into difficulties. However he was unhurt and is keen to rejoin his team in order to give Si Pavey his full support.

Because of the neutralisation of the stage overall standings are the same as yesterday’s with Spain’s Marc Coma leading from Frenchman Cyril Despres and Italy’s Giovanni Sala.

British BMW F650GS rider Nick Plumb is placed 88th going into the last five days of this year’s event.

For more information about the Race to Dakar team, enthusiasts can visit www.racetodakar.com

Highlights of the 2006 Euromilhões Lisbon to Dakar Rally (31 December 2005 to 15 January 2006) can be seen on Eurosport. See your local guide for details.

www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk

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