Faggotter Continues Australian Safari Onslaught | Australian Safari Day 4
Rodney Faggotter has stretched his lead to 33minutes after day four of competition wound up at the Australian Safari in Western Australia.
Faggotter took the stage win in the morning session today but experienced some navigational dramas during stage two which slowed his progress, yet he still managed to make time over his closest rival, finishing the stage in second place.
The event is just past the halfway point and riders have now spend over 16 hours in the saddle as they battle the conditions in the gruelling event.
Faggotter’s Yamaha WR450F is in great shape and physically Rodney is doing well and looking forward to the remainder of the event.
“After yesterday, we gave the bike the full service to keep it fresh and going strong but that was more preventative maintenance that anything else,” Faggotter states. “We inspected the motor, replaced some parts but a lot of the focus was on the tyres, chains and sprockets which take a beating out here with the dry dirt and also any wire that’s on the ground.
“Today I just had an issue with my navigation but it didn’t prove too costly and the guys are onto it now, so we will be good to go for day five,” Rodney ends.
West Australian moto rider Matthew Hart’s day went well, finishing each stage within the top five. “Good day. Managed to make up some time because I broke an oil line yesterday so lost three hours there,” said Matthew.
“Today was the most physical day we’ve had so far with a full fuel load. There were a few navigational tricks in there, but mostly it was nice and flowing so I got to concentrate on my riding instead of the maps.”
Both Quinn Cody and Ian Blythe from the United States are in second and third respectively. Ian is the leader of the Dakar Challenge category, with over two hours buffer between him and his nearest competitor, Cesare Zacchetti (IT).
Day five will have the riders’ travel 370 kilometres over two stages. It’s the time of the event when riders and team members need to be at their best as fatigue after long days on the bike can play havoc.
Current Standings – After Day Four – Australian Safari 2014
- Rodney Faggotter – 16.00.38 (Yamaha WR450F)
- Cody Quinn – 16.34.08 (CPW 450 RR)
- Ian Blythe – 16.44.50 (CPW 450 RR)
- Paul Nappy – 17.52.08 (Honda CRF450X)
- Paul Kenny – 17.53.14 (CPW 500 EXC))
