Hopes dashed for local Daker rider
Hopes and dreams were shattered when Brian Baragwanath of Team Rhide SA had to withdraw early from the 2015 Dakar Rally on Tuesday.
POLOKWANE – Hopes and dreams were shattered when Brian Baragwanath of Team Rhide SA had to withdraw early from the 2015 Dakar Rally on Tuesday.
The Dakar Rally started on Monday and this was Baragwanath’s first Dakar outing.
Baragwanath’s Dakar dream was short lived when the rear tyres on his quadbike failed halfway through the second stage on day two. Unfortunately this setback forced his exit from this gruelling, yet prestigious rally.
He experienced engine problems after the second waypoint of the 175km stage and had to complete the total distance of 838km, with his teammate Hannes Saaijman, towing him to the finish line.
This included the last 513km to the overnight stopping point.
This resulted in Saaijman finishing the first day in 41st place, while Baragwanath placed 43rd.
Baragwanath also incurred a 15-minute penalty for changing engines.
On Tuesday, Baragwanath suffered flat tyres halfway through the stage and could not continue after both rear tyres disintegrated on his Yamaha Raptor.
Saaijman, did however reach the overnight halting point of the second stage.
He too suffered two flat tyres, but carried spare tyres with him. Saaijman was in 21st place in the quadbike category by the time of going to print.
Friends and family congratulated Baragwanath on his performance and also shared their enthusiasm and their disappointment on his Facebook wall:
• “You make us proud mate. Really hope to see you back there again. With every experience you learn! You are one of the best ra-cers in the world, proved it over and over again and so you will continue to do and hopefully return to Dakar!!” – Edl Arangles
• “You rode with the best and you were competing for the top spot…Brian you are one of the best in the world and you proved it. Well done champ! Hope to see you in the Dakar again!” – Marco Bruwer
• “I agree totally with Marco hope to see you in the Dakar again next year!!!! Well done Brian.” – Thomas Cumberland Trollip
• “Sorry about some of the engine issues but they are still going to do us proud – Keep Safe guys – Ride like the wind!” – Graeme Lategan
• “What can be positively be taken out from this is that until the problems, Brian had a very good run. It is his first attempt and hopefully not his last. Next year will be the BB year.” – John de Bruyn
• “Yus. I feel like I am in mourning. Very somber day today. Very kuk for Brian Baragwanath. Very (sic).” – Russel Ferreira
• “Cousin. I am so unbelievably proud of you. Such an incredible experience to have taken part in Dakar. You are a legend. Love you dude.” – Meg Baragwanath
• “I bet it was the weather condition. Either than that, the man is an ATV Pro (sic).”- Phuti Morifi
