Dakar 2011 - Buenos Aires finishing podium

And finally the prize giving ceremony in Buenos Aires, each and every one finishing the race celebrating on and off the podium. 

Arredondo & Vlado

Liefhebber

Arredondo Senior with wife aka mom!

Prohens

Laia Sanz - 2011 Ladies Trophy winner!

Annie Seel 2011 Dakar rally fighter! The only participant entering the podium with a dead bike.

Halpbern

Patronelli - 2011 Dakar rally quad winner

 Pål Anders Ullevålseter 6th position, riding up the podium accompanied by mechanic Patrick

2nd to one - Cyril Despres last years winner, next to Ruben Faria

Winner of the 2011 Dakar rally: Marc Coma and Pedrero

Dakar 2011 - My Dakar San Juan to Cordoba

Team Scandinavia once again showing us great hospitality, Lasse of course entertaining as always. 

Daniella

I watch you watch me!

Italian alps in the background

Inside scoop from the bivouac: biggest competitors of them all: Volkswagen vs BMW aka Michael MIB Bernard and Marco Pastorino.  These guys had a struggle all day long, and by the end of the day it was hard to tell whom actually won. They just wouldn´t give in on who had the sharpest comment. Just love these guys. And the lawyer too. Great company and great laughs. Sniff, sniff, double sniff, double sniff... And MIB is for real the religous name in Michael´s pass port. 

Tina Meier´s bike dropped off by the sweeper truck a few days after she took leave.

Swedish Annie Seel just before take off, 05.17 am, last leg of the 2011 Dakar rally Cordoba-Buenos Aires. At this point she is still unaware about the fact her engine is about to crack. An hour later the text arrives "This is the beginning of the end", thinking she won´t make it to the last special.

Dakar 2011 - My Dakar - Chilecito to San Juan

Another day of journey through out the beautiful scenery of Argentina, and last day together with Alfredo - team boss of Chiara Rally Team, but to us he was "Dad Alfredo"

Desert Rose and Patsy Quick at a pit stop on the way over to San Juan

A mechanic waiting for the arrival of Annie Seel

Cozy camp spot at San Juan, and tent only used for three hours... what a waste!

Team Meca System doing a night shift on Annie Seel´s bike

Patronelli quad and mechanic

Dakar 2011 - My Dakar - bivouac Chilecito

A very tired Annie Seel falling asleep with her tooth brush in her hand after yet another stage of problems. 

Dutch Honda rider Mirjam Pol getting the essential ingredients before heading towards San Juan. Night before she used the swimmingpool to whipe the dust off, as showers ran dry.

And a very helpful Aussie gentleman bringing order in Annie´s road book

Checking the results and starting times

Lunch bag and water

 

Camper style

  

Dakar 2011 - My Dakar - Copiapo to Chilecito

Once again the rally was about to head over the Andes, a long transport over the mountainrange for all the riders. And temperature at freezing as the rider came to the Chilean border. Cold, cold, cold! But so beautiful!