Chris
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The Bivouac at La Rioja, Argentina
The previous night's festivities meant I rose late. And it was raining. The others were already gone, but we had said our farewells the night before. I had decided to just head for La Rioja, the next night stop and try to get into the bivouac, as with my dodgy knee, I wasn't up to riding anywhere technical in order to see the race live.
The Mini backup team waiting at the end of a special. Not expecting anyone soon... Here I also spoke with one of their head honcho types (In a flash looking car made by the same company) about getting a pass into the bivouac. His attitude came across as "Jog on fella, no plebs allowed" (The older you get the better your mind reading skills... )
I did meet a couple of chaps on bikes from La Rioja and they said they could get me into the bivouac as they had contacts with a (Japanese car) race team. "See you at the gate at 6pm".
So, after putting up my tent at the municipal campsite, coincidentally diagonally opposite the bivouac gate, I headed there for 6 to meet my new buddies. They either weren't there, or we couldn't see each other. Bollox. In the time I was there waiting at the gate and trying to call them, I had plenty of opportunity to observe if there was any chance of getting in, either sneakily or with BS. No chance. The security were on the ball.
I went for a walk and near a carpark to the right of the main entrance, the fence surrounding the site looked a bit shabby. So after some food and when it got dark: A backup car for one of the Argentine quad-riders or bikers stood next to said fence. The racer was receiving physio. He and his physiotherapist were more than happy to lift the fence up enough for me to crawl under (on the way in and out)... In fact they were highly amused as it was "what a local would do". I was in and had an ID bracelet from a mate from a few days previously too. The wrong colour for La Rioja, but in the dark, nobody would spot the difference as long as I kept a low profile The pleb had got in...
So, some impressions....
Full strip down
I found Chris Cork's (UK) support team and spoke with Scott Spears, his mechanic. Chris was expected "later". He ended up sleeping out in the desert for the night and the race was over for him. Gutted!
I also stopped by the Honda works teams/ Honda South America encampment to see if my mate Geraldo Lima from near Sao Paulo was there, but as Jean Azevedo had retired after his spectacular crash on day 2 (See the picture in my Brazilian section on page 1 of this RR), he had no reason to still be there. Shame.
I think this is #11 Jordi Viladoms, second in 2014, 4th in 2012. 17th this time. Definitely at the KTM factory tent though. Without a bike number I'm not so good at recognising competitors.
The malle moto guys deserve the greatest respect. Ride all day and work all night. Here is Manuel Lucchese working on his bike, while the lovely Lucie marks up his roadbook for tomorrow. Ideal!
David Wijnhoven, #124 checking today’s results
Talking heads at the Peugeot garage doing what they do best. Possibly discussing where Carlos Sainz is…
Carlos had been leading the overall standings. Here he’s being towed into the bivouac with a blown engine = dnf at the podium in Rosario
In very late, but still in under his own power. And at the podium at Rosario. Well done Nicolas Billaud of France!
BAS Trucks of the Netherlands supported half a dozen riders. ALL got to the podium at Rosario. Well done to the riders and the backup team!
The previous night's festivities meant I rose late. And it was raining. The others were already gone, but we had said our farewells the night before. I had decided to just head for La Rioja, the next night stop and try to get into the bivouac, as with my dodgy knee, I wasn't up to riding anywhere technical in order to see the race live.
The Mini backup team waiting at the end of a special. Not expecting anyone soon... Here I also spoke with one of their head honcho types (In a flash looking car made by the same company) about getting a pass into the bivouac. His attitude came across as "Jog on fella, no plebs allowed" (The older you get the better your mind reading skills... )
I did meet a couple of chaps on bikes from La Rioja and they said they could get me into the bivouac as they had contacts with a (Japanese car) race team. "See you at the gate at 6pm".
So, after putting up my tent at the municipal campsite, coincidentally diagonally opposite the bivouac gate, I headed there for 6 to meet my new buddies. They either weren't there, or we couldn't see each other. Bollox. In the time I was there waiting at the gate and trying to call them, I had plenty of opportunity to observe if there was any chance of getting in, either sneakily or with BS. No chance. The security were on the ball.
I went for a walk and near a carpark to the right of the main entrance, the fence surrounding the site looked a bit shabby. So after some food and when it got dark: A backup car for one of the Argentine quad-riders or bikers stood next to said fence. The racer was receiving physio. He and his physiotherapist were more than happy to lift the fence up enough for me to crawl under (on the way in and out)... In fact they were highly amused as it was "what a local would do". I was in and had an ID bracelet from a mate from a few days previously too. The wrong colour for La Rioja, but in the dark, nobody would spot the difference as long as I kept a low profile The pleb had got in...
So, some impressions....
Full strip down
I found Chris Cork's (UK) support team and spoke with Scott Spears, his mechanic. Chris was expected "later". He ended up sleeping out in the desert for the night and the race was over for him. Gutted!
I also stopped by the Honda works teams/ Honda South America encampment to see if my mate Geraldo Lima from near Sao Paulo was there, but as Jean Azevedo had retired after his spectacular crash on day 2 (See the picture in my Brazilian section on page 1 of this RR), he had no reason to still be there. Shame.
I think this is #11 Jordi Viladoms, second in 2014, 4th in 2012. 17th this time. Definitely at the KTM factory tent though. Without a bike number I'm not so good at recognising competitors.
The malle moto guys deserve the greatest respect. Ride all day and work all night. Here is Manuel Lucchese working on his bike, while the lovely Lucie marks up his roadbook for tomorrow. Ideal!
David Wijnhoven, #124 checking today’s results
Talking heads at the Peugeot garage doing what they do best. Possibly discussing where Carlos Sainz is…
Carlos had been leading the overall standings. Here he’s being towed into the bivouac with a blown engine = dnf at the podium in Rosario
In very late, but still in under his own power. And at the podium at Rosario. Well done Nicolas Billaud of France!
BAS Trucks of the Netherlands supported half a dozen riders. ALL got to the podium at Rosario. Well done to the riders and the backup team!