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Si Pavey |
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 Second
place finish for Pavey in Desert Challenge
Experienced rally rider, Simon Pavey has secured a second place finish in the 450 production class in the 2009 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and was 11th overall. The tough rider faced a number of challenges over the five-day event and has also secured valuable FIM Cross-Country Rally World Championship points. The BMW Off Road Skills Chief Instructor has battled in the top three positions in class during the event, which has seen his triumph and suffer to make his impressive second place finish. Pavey endured severe dehydration and was put on a drip after day three and managed to recover to complete the Rally. “I was back to feeling 100 per cent today,” explained the Aussie. “Although last night I had an unfortunate accident, where I stubbed my toe on a tent peg and it’s now black and blue. It could only happen to me! “I took it steady today as Sean [the class leader] was eight or nine minutes ahead of me, and the rider in third was 15 minutes behind, so I just had to keep focussed and ride steadily to the end. “We started with a 80km Liasion, followed by a 285km Special and then rode another 60km Liasion. The route was a combination of the tracks and terrain we had already ridden over the past few days, so we knew what we were in for. The only problem is that there had been a sand storm and the tracks we were meant to take were covered by moving sand. “It is amazing how quickly the desert moves. The organisers have a rider who follows the route we ride the day before and alerts us in the briefing to any changes. Although due to the sand storm, some of the ‘clear’ sections had changed and were completely different. “I’m really happy with my result. When competitors in a rally are so close in times, it takes one to have a bit of bad luck, for the other rider to get an advantage. It is just how it works… It could have been all over for me the other day when I was so dehydrated. It is amazing how quickly it can hit you and I had only been out in the desert for 45 minutes before I got some water. I managed to pull through and even so, the organisers could have told me that I couldn’t go on. Luckily for me they said I could, but I had to sign a disclaimer, which is fair enough. “I am so pleased to finish in second. I have earned some valuable FIM Cross-Country Rally World Championship points at the first round of the season and I was second in class. It has been a brilliant experience. I’ll definitely be back.” Pavey will be returning to South Wales to take the helm of the BMW Off Road School where he teaches people to ride off-road for the first time on BMW motorcycles. Overall results – 2009 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – after Leg 5: Marc Coma Cyril Despres Pal Ullevalseter 11. Simon Pavey Results Dehydrated Pavey battles on in Desert Challenge After waiting for the rescue crew to arrive at the accident site for a fellow rider yesterday, Simon Pavey arrived back at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (23-27 March) bivouac of the to find himself suffering from severe dehydration. The spirited Aussie was immediately taken to the medical centre and fed five bags of fluids by intravenous drip. Without realising how badly he had suffered in the over 50oC conditions while helping another competitor, Pavey had pushed his body to its extreme. He rode a physically demanding 340km Special Timed Stage and then stayed with the injured rider for an hour in the desolate conditions and waited for help. “I arrived back the bivouac last night and I felt okay initially,” explained the tough rally rider. “Then I began to feel tired and nauseous. I was quickly taken to the medical centre where I was told that I was severely dehydrated. The medics put me on a drip straight away and they ended up putting five bags of fluids in me. I was completely drained. I hadn’t seen this coming, but when they told me that we had been out in the desert in the extreme heat of over 50oC it made sense. “I slept in the medical tent last night and tried to get as much rest as possible so that I could start today’s leg. It was so tough. I rode as well as I could until the first fuel stop and then I was wrecked. Luckily today’s riding wasn’t as challenging and involved more fast sandy sections rather than physical riding. I could barely ride, but somehow I managed to get through the 314km Special and get back to the bivouac. “Now I am completely exhausted. I have been trying to get some rest in my tent, but a sand storm has hit our campsite and all I can do is lie on the tent so it won’t fly away. I really hope that I feel better for tomorrow. I’ve loved this event so far and I hope that I can make the most out of the last day.” In his exhausted state, Pavey finished second in Leg 4 of the 450 production class in the Special Timed Stage. He now lies second in class and is 12th overall. To follow Simon’s progress visit www.uaedesertchallenge.com Overall results – 2009 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – after Leg 4: 1. Marc Coma 2. Cyril Despres 3. Pal Ullevalseter 12. Simon Pavey
Experienced rally rider Simon Pavey has found help for 450 production class leader Khalid Al Falasi after he suffered a crash near the end of today's 340km Special Timed Stage. Pavey has also secured the lead of the 450 production class after completing the third leg of the 2009 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (23-27 March). "Today started with a 60km Liasion on a gravel road before we started the 340km Special Timed Stage," explained Pavey. "It was almost completely all off piste today, with some really big and then smaller dunes. It was tough going. "I rode with Sean Linton and Khalid and we were locked together riding through the sand dunes. We were almost at the end of the Special when Khalid rode through this section that resembled over-sized whoops. I think that he went in too hot and then braked and that's when he crashed. I had ridden around that section on some dunes and saw him there and went down to see if he was okay. "It was extremely hot and we were completely exposed to the elements. I covered us both with my foil blanket and called for help. We waited for approximately 45 minutes until the rescue team arrived and took Khalid to safety. "I was completely drained after that - a combination of the extreme heat and tough concentrated riding. Luckily we were only 30km from the end." After today's incident, BMW's Off Road Skills Chief Instructor is now leading the 450 production class and is placed ninth overall in the Rally. Overall results - 2009 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge - After Leg 3 1. Cyril Despres 2. Marc Coma 3. Pal Ullevalseter 9. Simon Pavey To follow Simon’s progress visit www.uaedesertchallenge.com
Simon Pavey has secured a second place finish in the 450 production class on the difficult second leg of the 2009 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (23-27 March). The 41-year-old has ridden the spectacular sand dune filled 300km Special Timed Stage to reach 10th position and now lies 13th overall in the Rally. Rally competitors suffered a 1.5 hour delayed start to today’s event due to fog and then travelled the 80km liaison before arriving at the challenging 300km Special Timed Stage. BMW’s Off Road Skills Chief Instructor Simon Pavey was in his element when riding today’s sand dunes: “The Special was full of fast rolling sand dunes. There were quite a few steep crossings and plenty of blind crests where you couldn’t see over the other side. You had to be bloody careful! “I rode with the helmet camera today and with a group of about five riders. It felt like we were a freight train, swapping positions, from lead to follower through the dunes. It was a bit like how road cyclist’s work in groups… the front rider would do the work and the others would be towed. It was a bit of a game really. We all took a turn of the lead, but whoever was in front took the most risks because they were the one that was riding over the steep dunes and we would watch their helmet to see if they made it or not. “I was hanging for the last third of today’s Special. It was really tough and physical. I was working the bike to get the through it. Today’s riding was a mixture of riding flat out in top gear and then backing off to second to get over the crest of the dunes. I think tomorrow is going to be more difficult. I’ll just have to wait and see.” Overall results – 2009 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – after Leg 2: - Marc Coma 7h26’12 Cyril Despres 7h27’37 Pal Ullevalseter 7h30’29 13. Simon Pavey 8h13’21 Pavey third in class on first day of Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Honorary Brit and BMW’s Off Road Skills Chief Instructor, Simon Pavey has made an impressive start to his second rally of 2009. The charismatic Aussie has finished third in the 450 class on the first day of the 2009 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and is placed 16th overall. Traditionally known as the Dubai rally, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has moved from the usual date in October to earlier in the year and will run five stages – from 23-27 March – to challenge its competitors against terrain and in the increasing heat. Simon Pavey started the year by competing in the inaugural Dakar Rally run in South America and achieved his fifth Dakar Rally finish. Simon then returned to the UK where he and his wife Linley, run the BMW Off Road Skills school in South Wales where they teach people how to ride off road. After the first leg of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Simon was reminded of the tough side to rally riding: “I had a good starting position today after finishing ninth in the prologue yesterday. I didn’t really enjoy today’s riding because it was made up of fast dirt tracks, which is not my idea of fun. I like riding technical terrain, which is what I will get to experience over the next few days. “I haven’t had the chance to race since I competed in the Dakar earlier this year, so today has been a time to get my head right for the rest of the event. Riding over here is a lot different from riding in Wales… there are no muddy bogs to start with! “So far I am happy with how I have done. Tomorrow is going to be more challenging and the organisers are expecting temperatures of 49oC or more.” Results Cyril Despres 2h55’03 Marc Coma 2h55’36 Paul Ullevalseter 3h01’36 16. Simon Pavey 3h28’46
Not content with his repeated success at the Paris-Dakar Rally, Simon Pavey, the Chief Instructor at World of BMW's Off Road Skills school, is now preparing for the start of a brand new challenge. Simon has entered the inaugural Transorientale Rally, covering 10, 700 kilometres, spanning parts of Russia, Kazakhstan and China. Simon is pictured left testing out his rally prepared BMW G 650 Xchallenge Starting out from St Petersburg on 12 June, the rally will continue through the expansive landscapes of Russia, before heading across the large steppes of central Asia. Simon will then navigate his way around the lakes of Kazakhstan into China, where riders will encounter some of the highest sand dunes in the world, often reaching heights of more than 2000 metres. Competitors will finally cross the finish line in Beijing on 28 June, 17 gruelling days after leaving St Petersburg. In addition to his impressive rally credentials, Simon is also known for running the highly-successful BMW Off Road Skills school. The courses, which are run from their World of BMW base in south Wales, have introduced thousands of people to the joys of riding off-road, and the daily physical demands of being Chief Instructor at the school have also helped Simon to keep himself in shape for rally riding. But additional mountain biking three times a week will see him in top physical form at the event start! Similarly, a great deal of effort has gone into preparing his bike for the rally. Simon will be using a BMW G 650 Xchallenge, a specially adapted version of the enduro bike that his customers ride at the off-road school. Speaking ahead of his latest adventure Simon said, "We're really pleased with the way the bike has come together, and after all the hours we have put into getting it ready I can't wait to get out there and properly test the bike for the first time."
The Xchallenge has a standard engine and chassis but has had a Touratech rally kit fitted, by ace rally mechanic and part time Off Road Skills mechanic Bernie Wright. Michelin will provide tyres throughout the rally and Castrol will be supplying the team's oil, while Cotswold will be providing the essential camping and outdoor equipment. Further sponsorship has been provided by GlobeBusters and BMW Motorrad UK, who have supplied Simon with the Rallye 2 Pro suit which he will be wearing throughout the marathon event. For the first time on a rally Simon will be joined by his wife Linley, who will play a key role during the race. A keen rider herself, Linley will be driving the support vehicle that will assist Simon in his efforts to complete one of the toughest rallies in the world. Simon said, "The idea of this rally really excites me. For the Rally-Raid Marathon competitors it seems that it will be tougher than the current Dakar. It's a chance for me to ride through different countries and try a new experience. I've got high hopes for this event and I'm sure it will live up to it. It's also the first time I get to share a rally with my wife Linley." Simon may be setting off for Saint Petersburg for the Transorientale, but he is already thinking ahead to the next challenge the 2009 Dakar Rally. For the first time Simon will be joining forces with his rally sponsors, GlobeBusters, to create a once in a lifetime opportunity for customers to travel alongside the 2009 Dakar Rally. In 2009 for the first time, the Dakar rally will be held in South America, with the route running through parts of Argentina and Chile. From 28 December to 22 January this unique two week Tour will watch the start of the race in Buenos Aires before travelling to Valparaiso for the official rest day, and returning back to Buenos Aires for the official finish, meeting the rally at various stages to support Simon as he competes. All participants must be experienced riders and have a suitable bike for covering this terrain. For further information, or to book a place please call 08452 304 015, or visit www.globebusters.com For more information, or to track Simon's progress during the Transorientale Rally, please visit www.transorientale.com Simon is riding number 5. The rally will also be screened daily on Motors TV. For further information on the BMW Off Road Skills courses, and all other courses and experiences available from World of BMW, please visit www.worldofbmw.com , or call 08000 131 282.
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Pavey
finds help for Desert Challenge leader in Rally's searing heat
Pavey
conquers the Desert Challenge dunes for second place
BMW
Off Road Skill's Simon Pavey revs up for extreme new Beijing Rally
