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Friday, 13 January 2006 |
Day 11 - stage 10 - Tuesday 10 January 2006 Kiffa > Kayes (Mali)
Connection 1 km, Special 283 km, Connection 49 km, Total 333 km
Due to the tragic accident of Andy Caldecott the Dakar organization decided that the day's stage was to be covered in liaison from start to finish for the bikes as a tribute to the unfortunate Australian rider. Instead of the 283 kilometer special, the day would not be timed for the riders. The cars and trucks were not excluded from competition and competed as planned. The neutralization for bikes offered Frétigné the opportunity to recover from the tragic event and the misfortune he experienced over the last few days.
Day 12 - stage 11 - Wednesday 11 January 2006 Kayes > Bamako (Mali)
Connection 50 km, Special 231 km, Connection 424 km, Total 705 km
For the first time since 1996 the Dakar returned to the bush covered setting of Mali. On the first part of the 705 kilometer long stage in between forests and savannas, David Frértigné found a steady race pace, resulting in a seventh place on CP1 in pursue of race leaders Duclos (FRA) and Comas (ESP). On a steep stony ascent, Frétigné tumbled over, pulling the plug of his rear fuel tank. Unaware of this mishap, he switched to the last but emptied fuel tank 30 kilometers before arrival, leaving David stranded without fuel. Fortunately a helping hand from fellow Frenchman Michel Gau (KTM) gave Frétigné the opportunity to ride on and finish the day in 18th position.
Day 13 - stage 12 - Thursday 12 January 2006 Bamako > Labé (Guinea)
Connection 197 km, Special 368 km, Connection 307 km, Total 872 km
A marathon stage from Bamako entering Guinea was an ideal setting for a specialized Enduro rider like Frétigné. David left Bamako in 18th position, riding the first part of the stage with fellow Yamaha riders Frans Verhoeven (NL) and Michel Marchini (FR), both on similar WR450F's. At CP1 Frétigné clocked a well deserved 12th time, leaving Verhoeven and Marchini behind on the last part of the special. Crossing the finish line in tenth position after this long stage was satisfying for David, resulting in the 18th position overall. Most importantly, since no assistance was available in the bivouac for all Dakar competitors, he brought in the bike without any significant damage.
Portuguese Yamaha rider Helder Rodrigues now defends Yamaha's honour as top WR450F rider. At 27 years of age and a coveted enduro specialist, just like David Frétigné, Rodrigues has all the qualities needed to tackle the most challenging Rally-raid races; experience, speed, technique and stamina.
Only 15 minutes behind 450cc class leader Alain Duclos and three days away from the finish in Dakar, Helder will have to do battle with Duclos for the 450cc class victory. Currently he is keeping ninth spot in the overall standings.
Overall standings after day 13 /stage 12
1. 002 COMA (ESP) KTM in 47h01:21
2. 001 DESPRES (FRA) KTM +32:39
3. 006 SALA (ITA) KTM +1h45:15
4. 009 BLAIS (USA) KTM +2h06:50
5. 004 DE GAVARDO (CHI) KTM +2h26:55
9. 055 RODRIGUES (POR) YAMAHA +4h12:28
18. 012 FRETIGNE (FRA) YAMAHA +8h42:57
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Wednesday, 11 January 2006 |
On January 9, 2006 Altadis abruptly announced that it had initiated arbitration proceedings against Yamaha arising out of an alleged breach by Yamaha of the two companies' sponsorship agreement for Yamaha's factory racing team. Yamaha would like to clarify several points in light of Altadis' wrongful statements.
First, Yamaha no longer has any sponsorship agreement with Altadis, as the previous sponsorship agreement was terminated in all respects for the 2006 season.
Second, Yamaha strongly denies that it has ever breached its previous sponsorship agreement with Altadis.
Third, in the absence of any agreement in force between Altadis and Yamaha, there exists no legal obligation preventing Yamaha from contracting with a tobacco sponsor or any other sponsor for the 2006 season.
Yamaha deplores the fact that Altadis' unreasonable actions have frustrated Yamaha's good-faith efforts to resolve this matter in an amicable fashion, and has seen fit to make its unmerited allegations in a public forum.
To date, Yamaha has not been notified of any Request for Arbitration from Altadis. In any event, Yamaha will defend its rights vigorously, and reserves the rights to claim both pecuniary damages and declaratory relief with respect to the wrong and disparaging statements made by Altadis and the harm wilfully caused by its frivolous conduct, for the sake of Yamaha and all of its fans and supporters worldwide who continue to support and sustain the MotoGP sport and Yamaha's MotoGP factory racing team. |
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Tuesday, 10 January 2006 |
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Day 7 - Friday 6 January 2006
Zouérat - Atâr (Mauritania)
Connection 10 km, Special 499 km, Connection 12 km, Total 521 km
A big dose of courage was needed to cover this special. Technically difficult as well as providing a tough test of navigation, the day's riding consisted of large dunes alternating with fast flat portions on treacherous ground - proving to be one of the toughest stages of the rally. Starting in reverse order, David managed setting sixth time on CP1 (checkpoint). Fellow Frenchman Gilles Algay, (Yamaha WR450F) surprised by setting the quickest time at CP1. After refilling the obligatory water and fuel at CP1, a high-speed crash at about 130 km/h ended David's ambitions of a top five ranking. Despite the shock and a severely damaged bike, he refused to activate the emergency flare and instead took off again, clocking the eighth time after the 499 km special. Frétigné arrived in Atâr leaving significant work for the mechanics and his physiotherapist. Considering the damage to the bike, eighth position overall could be considered a good result.
Day 8 - Saturday 7 January 2005
Atâr - Nouakchott
Connection 34 km, Special 508 km, Connection 26 km, Total 568 km
The last stage before the much desired rest day was even more difficult in terms of navigation then the previous one. Bothered by physical discomforts of two serious crashes from a day earlier, Frétigné took off for the 568 km of the eighth stage. In search of a waypoint masque Frétigné lost one and a half hours on the top five riders. After finally reaching CP2 for the necessary refilling, David clocked a 33rd time, ending in 12th position for the night.
Day 9 - Sunday 8 January 2006
Rest day at bivouac Nouakchott
Several bikers have been given 2-hour time penalties today for missing out on a way point (WPM) during day 8. Among the top riders who missed the GPS point was Frétigné who lost 4 positions in the overall standings because of that, now 16th.
Day 10 - Monday 9 January 2005
Nouakchott - Kiffa
Connection 30 km, Special 599 km, Connection 245 km, Total 874 km
Day 10 of the Dakar saw the longest stage set within Mauritania and a harsh environment displayed by the tragic death of KTM rider Andy Caldecott.
Frétigné set a 17th time on CP2 but had a serious crash at kilometre 200. This crash damaged the front end of his bike, breaking off the support brackets of his navigation instruments. Therefore the remaining 600 km of stage could only be driven at a 30 km/h pace. David had to stop many times for temporary repairs to the bike. This resulted in a disappointing 45th place for the day, setting him back to 19th position in overall standings. Portuguese Yamaha pilot Hélder Rodrigues had a better day setting a third place for the day and improving his standing on the leader board to ninth position.
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Monday, 09 January 2006 |
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announces the start of a new partnership with JT International (JTI), a subsidiary of Japan Tobacco Inc., whose brand CAMEL will become the new title sponsor of Yamaha's Factory MotoGP Team for 2006.
The Yamaha Factory MotoGP Team, consisting of reigning-World Champion Valentino Rossi and his team-mate Colin Edwards, will be known as the "Camel Yamaha Team" in 2006.
Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing Lin Jarvis commented "Yamaha is very excited to enter into this new partnership with JTI. JTI has been involved in motorsport at the highest level for many years and has been an active sponsor at the top level in the MotoGP class for the past three seasons. We look forward to working with JTI to enhance the respective images of our brands and to challenge together for victory, as Yamaha enters its "next 50 years" and aims to retain its MotoGP titles in 2006."
"A new chapter in the history of Camel in motorsport is just beginning", commented Roberto Zanni, JTI's Regional President for Europe, "After three years of great satisfaction in the premier class of the World Road Racing Championship, we are today launching a new challenge for the title. Our new partnership with Yamaha, the historic, championship-winning Japanese manufacturer, will be highly motivating for us and it will be an honour to be by their side throughout the 2006 season. We share the same passion and desire for victory and, I am sure, success will not be long in coming."
The Camel Yamaha Team will begin its 2006 campaign in Sepang, Malaysia with a three-day test on 23rd, 24th and 25th January. |
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