Folks, I am racing the Vuelta a la Republica again. It was so much fun last year, i came back for more. the Vuelta is a 7 day rally race of Ecuador, on mostly dirt but some paved roads. thought you might be interested in the results after 5 days so far. i will try to update.

I am racing a 2004 Yamaha WRF450 amid a sea of other
WRF450s in the 0-450cc class. The other North
American, Ed Tarleton is racing Matt Stackpoles 2000
Honda XR600 which Matt had ridden to Ecuador from
Buenos Aires (last year I raced the XR650L I rode with
both Matt and Ed from BA, and they are also HU people). Ed is in the 450+cc class.

Day 0- superprime in Machala. This was 2.8km race
through city streets with a turn every block or 2
blocks. The street surface was typical Ecuadorian
pavement- concrete covered with a fine layer of dust
and powdered dogshit. A little slippery especially on
knobbies. But holy mackeral was it fun!! Backing it
in to the corners and coming out in a full throttle
powerslide. GPS said max speed- 80mph. Ed took 3rd
in class, 3rd overall (behind a Husaberg 501 and
husaberg 650). I took 1st in class, 4th overall.

Day 1- Machala. Mostly dirt, some pavement.
Incredibly fun, great corners for powerslides. I ride
conservatively, since that is what got me to 2nd last
year. Ed does the same. Max speed (according to
GPS)- 98mph. I am 7th in class, Ed is 4th.

Day 2- Loja. Same type terrain as before. We both
ride conseravtively until the last prime. We had some
trouble getting to the last prime as we followed an
idiot Ecuadorian who was lost. Fortunately, time did
not count on that particular transit section, so we
are both still in the race. But we are pissed off and
ride like men possesed. I have the best section of my
life, abandoning caution and sliding through very
corner, one side to the other, really in rythm. Im
also going through back tires like a bum through wine.
Unfortunately, though, Ed ran out of gas due to going
so far when we were lost. He did not finish the stage
and suffered a 2 hour penalty. Really a shame,
because he is one of the best riders here, beating
guys with superior bikes. I am in 6th, Ed is last.
Max speed according to GPS- 200mph (I dont think thats
right)

Day 3- Cuenca. Having seen how fast I can really go
on this bike, I kick it up a few notches and start
passing people. I even taped a camera to my boot
during one stage- I havent seen it yet, but it should
be REALLY cool. During all phases, there are supposed
to be cops directing you where to go. During a
transit stage, 3 cops on a corner sent me the wrong
way. Fortunately, I figuered it out and made it to
the start on time. But I went back to that same
corner and spotted the same 3 cops. Then I spotted a
big patch of golf ball sized gravel in the road. I
lined the back wheel up and let er rip in 2nd gear. I
roosted the hell out of those bastards!! I finish the
day 4th overall, 3rd in class. Im still in 6th for
the total time, but closing the gap quickly.

Day 4- Riobamba Mostly cobblestone roads with some
slippery sand sections thrown in to keep you honest.
I continue to ride superfast. At this pace, I will be
in 3rd in class, 4th overall by the end of the day.
But in the 4th prime, a ****ing cop sent me the wrong
way on the race course. i kept riding down the
cobblestone roads, but wondering where the spectators
had gone. By the time I figured it out and got back
on course, I lost 9-10 minutes. I finish 7th overall
for the day. Ed finishes 3rd for the day, even with a
flat tire in the same prime. 2 of my competitors drop
out with mechanical problems so I actually move up to
3rd in class, 4th overall. But if it werent for that
bastard cop, I would be 2nd in class, 3rd overall.

There are 2 more race days left. I have 9 minutes to
make up against a good rider. I will be riding on the
edge, trying to pull it off. I am faster than him,
but I dont know if there is enough race left to do it.
Ed can get 3rd in class if he stays consistant. We
shall see...


I will try to post pics and the video of bootcam ASAP.
stay tuned


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Back on the road again.

sopgear.com

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Stuck at home...

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