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DAKAR-FINAL - 15 January 2012

DAKAR-FINAL

Taking part in the Dakar is a feat. Finishing the Dakar is a feat. Making up 43 places in 15 days is epic – let alone after a 100mph crash! But Irish and British 2012 entrant Stan Watt, on-board his Crescent KTM 450 Factory Replica, made it come true - crossing the finish line in Lima, Peru, in 34th overall.

Whilst Watt did not reach his desired top 20 ranking, he showed tremendous skill and perseverance, having to recover not only from a troublesome start, but also overcoming local fuel issues, a huge crash as well as some controversial rulings. From 87th place after the first day, it took him only eight days to reach 45th position on the stretch heading north out of Chile.

Stage 10, from Iquique to Arica, following a regular surfer’s paradise through sand and waves, saw Watt charge up into 41st with a well deserved trouble-free special stage. The following day was the most defining of them all, as he took full advantage of the fast-paced trip to Arequipa where he made up tremendous time sending him into 35th.

Stage 12, now deep in scenic Peru led the riders across yet another vast landscape of dunes to Nasca. Despite not encountering any problems, Watt lost a place, on what he described as one of the more technical sections. On the second to last stage to Pisco, with the finish almost in sight, he once again made up time, yet no places – and left himself with a big challenge on the final day.

Stage 14 to Lima saw Watt dig deep and fly past his rivals to take the chequered flag in 34th place in front of almost 400,000 cheering fans in the city centre.
Stan Watt

“I wanted to do better, but overall it wasn’t too bad. The Crescent KTM 450 worked really well and we managed to keep the same engine for the whole rally [hence not incurring any time penalties]. Even my crash in the earlier stage didn’t harm it. I also had a great support team on hand to help.

“The rally on the whole was more technical than I had anticipated, but I had a lot of fun on the faster stages, which is where I made up most of my time. The navigation was absolutely fine, yet it was a bit frustrating that they cancelled a waypoint which only myself and a few others found – and not giving us any time benefits. The politics have frustrated a few people this time around*.

“But the arrival in Lima was great. There were hundreds of thousands of people cheering us home - it was so manic. There are already rumours about the Dakar possibly starting here next year.

“I’d like to thank my support team and my sponsors for making this Dakar Rally happen. It’s been a pleasure.”

To read more about Stan’s Dakar adventure, check out Crescent Motorcycles’ previous Dakar updates at http://www.crescent-motorcycles.com/news/default.asp

Stan Watt and Crescent KTM would like to thank: KTM UK / Motorex Lubricants / Voltcom Group / Michelin UK / Talon / Adventure Spec / Proseal / Arai / Mototech / Proprinting

* Stage 9, from Antofagasta to Iquique, had been branded as one of the more difficult routes to navigate due to its very limited landmarks. Watt, patched up with a fully working Crescent KTM 450, made tremendous headway, proving in particular his navigational prowess by being only one of five competitors to reach Waypoint 6. However, a controversial ruling by Dakar organizers to subsequently strike this waypoint from the stage has left Watt in 41st position overall. This ruling, which cost him 15th place on the stage and a big jump up the leader board, had been contested by Watt and his support team – but to no avail.




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