Complicated end of rally for Team HRC

Yesterday I wasn’t going to concede any time, but the day didn’t start well and I twisted my knee when I put my foot down for a support. I kept going but at kilometre 140 the bike cut out. After visiting the physio yesterday afternoon, today I set out to clock up some kilometres but I saw I was going to be unable to endure the whole stage because of the pain. It is a shame but that’s the way the races are with many difficult situations. And as we have done on previous occasions, we will return more motivated than ever.

Today was a really hard stage. I fell after the refuelling. I had been opening the track and was comfortably ahead. The navigation was difficult and I was doing a good job. I don’t remember where or how I fell. I only know that I got up and continued to the end without knowing how. I would like to thank Toby Price who stopped to help me and also to the race organization which reacted well. Well, these are things that happen and one has to learn from them. I’m sure that I will be back stronger than ever.

Yesterday I was unlucky at the start. I finished the stage quick although I arrived back at the bivouac later than I had expected. Today was no better and I wasn’t able to finish the special either. These have been two unlucky days after having got a good result. I hope that the bad days are over and that I can make it through the rest of the race without any problems.

It wasn’t an easy day for team HRC. We are happy that Kevin didn’t have any major problems. He had a bad crash that wasn’t marked out in the roadbook. It was an important hazard. Talking to Price and Sunderland, they too have stated that the danger hadn’t been correctly indicated. It is a shame because Kevin was having a great race and until CP2 he was in a great position. But that’s racing and we just have to accept it. We’ll have to content ourselves with a very untimely situation that could affect the rider’s health. It was unfortunate also for Ricky Brabec who had mechanical problems. But all of this is good experience that will help him to grow with the team and the bike towards the main aim which is, of course, the Dakar.