This years GGN race finally took of this morning, and I was sure to be on the starting line early, early!
For many of the dirt bike riders, enduro riders, as well as the mx riders, this is the seasons grande finale - so there were high hopes and expectations - for some they came through, for others it was THE end.
The organisation had earlier declared worries about the dry track (according to the head speaker, this was the driest race since the start) - and that there were a potential risk that the speed would increase, potentially causing greater injuries. Halfway through the race I had the opportunity to speak to race leader Kenneth Häglund who said that the lap times actually was equal to last years...And ofcourse there was still some mud out there... Pics will be available on my Flickr account.
The race is divided in several different classes and in the elite class there sure was an intense tie... The KTM enduro world champion Eero Remes (start number 3) was up against Swedish 6 time winner of the GGN; Mats Nilsson. Taking turns on the leading role, and finally on the last lap Nilsson passed the Finnish rider, for the last time, and passed the finishing line with 2 seconds ahead. The last few houndred meters of the race was really intense and for those hoping for Nilsson,, nervous ones (the total time was 3 hours and 11 minutes or so) -sweeeeeeeeeet! A great race and a great rider - Congrats on that 7th and historical victory Mats!
Oct 30, 2009
The dunes of mud - Gotland Grand National 2009
Tomorrow the start of Gotland Grand National is taking place!
A great race on the island of Gotland, off the coast of Sweden (the Baltic sea). Over 2 200 riders will start in the race on motor cykles, and according to the organisation, this is the worlds largest enduro/ dirt bike race.
The race lasts for a minimum of three hours and is usually great entertainment for the audience since it´s usually a complete mud race, and truely, this is a spectacular race within the motor segment.
If you never had the chance to experience the race, take a look at some of my pics from last year;
Gotland Grand National 2008
Thomas Berglund, one of the Swedish participants of the Dakar will start (number 60) and probably I figure it´s the last race before entering the podium in Argentina.
Hope to present some new cool pics from the 2009 edition tomorrow!
A great race on the island of Gotland, off the coast of Sweden (the Baltic sea). Over 2 200 riders will start in the race on motor cykles, and according to the organisation, this is the worlds largest enduro/ dirt bike race.
The race lasts for a minimum of three hours and is usually great entertainment for the audience since it´s usually a complete mud race, and truely, this is a spectacular race within the motor segment.
If you never had the chance to experience the race, take a look at some of my pics from last year;
Gotland Grand National 2008
Thomas Berglund, one of the Swedish participants of the Dakar will start (number 60) and probably I figure it´s the last race before entering the podium in Argentina.
Hope to present some new cool pics from the 2009 edition tomorrow!
Oct 25, 2009
Hummer doubles up in Dakar!
It seems as if Chilean driver Carlo De Gavardo teams up with American Hummer rider Robby Gordon and his crew. This will mean that there are two hummers in the race if everything turns out as planned.
Dakar rally movie stars!
Rumours are out that someone will be trying to make a movie about the Dakarrally. Several participants has been approached by the film maker and the future will tell us more... my best guess is that something will be out on the market to indulge around late spring/early summer next year!
And while we are on the subject, Jutta Kleinsmidt, former motor cykle driver and first woman to win the Dakar in a car, actually was filming a movie last year...the movie reached the European market in January this year.
Nine miles down - a psyckological thriller in the Sahara desert... Earlier she has been doing some various stunts, Luc Besons Taxi 1, 2 and 3 for instance.
Jean-Louis Schlesser, a person whom always seem to add some spice to the Dakar rally, on the other hand has a small role in Taxi 3 - chasing Sylvester Stalone (superb french movie with both good action scenes aswell as great humor). If you haven´t seen the movie, check it out the scene with JL Schelsser here;
And while we are on the subject, Jutta Kleinsmidt, former motor cykle driver and first woman to win the Dakar in a car, actually was filming a movie last year...the movie reached the European market in January this year.
Nine miles down - a psyckological thriller in the Sahara desert... Earlier she has been doing some various stunts, Luc Besons Taxi 1, 2 and 3 for instance.
Jean-Louis Schlesser, a person whom always seem to add some spice to the Dakar rally, on the other hand has a small role in Taxi 3 - chasing Sylvester Stalone (superb french movie with both good action scenes aswell as great humor). If you haven´t seen the movie, check it out the scene with JL Schelsser here;
Oct 21, 2009
Oct 19, 2009
Anticipation and enthusiasm: Dakar 2010 Argentina!
As always this time of the year there is a lot of thoughts going through my head. And this year even more. Due to the circumstances within the auto industry, the withdrawal of Mitsubishi, the changes in the motor bike category (450 cc)and KTM withdrawal (eventhough they announced they willl have a mechanical truck at the scene), I do wonder who will actually be on the start 1st of January in a crowded Buenos Aires?
Will any of my long time favourites start this year? Thinking mostly about Hiroshi Masuoka - the fantastic Mitsubishi driver who always showed the best sportman ship in the Dakar rally.
Shortly the organisation will reveal who´s in and who´s not - and I am waiting!
Will any of my long time favourites start this year? Thinking mostly about Hiroshi Masuoka - the fantastic Mitsubishi driver who always showed the best sportman ship in the Dakar rally.
Shortly the organisation will reveal who´s in and who´s not - and I am waiting!
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