Brian still in Dakar top 20

POLOKWANE – Brian Baragwanath finished stage eight of the 2016 Dakar Rally in third place, just behind the two Patronelli brothers, Marcos and Alejandro.

Fellow team members of Theam Rhide SA, George Twigge and Ted Barbier, finished 18th and 28th respectively.

With this type of race, each rider is bound to hit trouble somewhere along the ride and Baragwanath was no exception.

His bike suffered a flat tyre at the beginning of stage four and he had to wait for assistance from fellow team member, Barbier, which put him 44 minutes and 27 seconds behind the leader.

He also received a 38-minute penalty in stage five as he left his passport in camp, and another 15-minute penalty for his engine change.

Despite these major setbacks, Brian amazingly fought his way back into the top 10.

Other teammates also encountered some problems.

Wessel Bosman fell off his bike 110 km into stage six, breaking his left wrist and both hands as well as sustaining a chip to his elbow.

Twigge also had a big fall about 43 km into stage six but did not sustain any major injuries.

Baragwanath said the Dakar is rocky, dangerous and fast.

“The guys crash left, right and centre. The race involves a lot of racing in terrible weather conditions followed by extreme heat and sand dunes,” he said.

“What’s really made this journey incredible is the spectators. They have a nearly insane love for the race.

“They stand along the road in extreme weather conditions, including freezing rain, cheering us on.”

Stage nine’s temperatures were so demanding that officials had to shorten the race with Baragwanath finishing the stage in fourth place.

His current overall position is 18th place.