Dakar 2010 Rally

photo: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

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Yep, she's a girl!

Silvia Giannetti, having a little trouble here on Stage 5, Jan. 6, who, after Stage 9 and after Mirjam Pol's withdrawal, has acquired the #2 overall standing in the Ladies Cup. Go, girl!

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It's the Dakar. My life has been consumed by this race. I've been lucky enough to consider the race coverage as "work" for the AtlantaRaceShop. I'm hoping next year I can go in person and cover the event. (I know. I'm dreaming.) Next year, I could be high fiving and slapping hands along with all these Chilean kids.
photo: Maxi Failla/AFP/Getty Images
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Stage Two Summary-
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The route for this year's Dakar promised to be up to Dakar standards and it hasn't disappointed.
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It was predicted the dunes of Atacama would be the toughest part of the rally, the place that would separate "the wheat from the chaff." It was in this area one of the top riders, David Casteu broke his leg and had to withdraw. He was 2nd overall at that time, I was heartbroken for him. Top female rider, Annie Seel described it as riding in a bag of flour. She's consistently come out #1 most stages and she's riding with a broken or sprained thumb.
AP photo/Natacha Pisarenko
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The other hardship of the rally consists of rocks:

photo: Reuters/Stringer/Pool -

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The standings really began changing at the rocks.

Top rider Mark Coma incurred a 6 hour penalty and used his apparent super-hero powers to overcome that and come in 2nd on Stage 8. Overall #1 rider Cyril Despres had such a huge lead, he lollygagged through the rocks, keeping his self and his bike both safe and sound. The rocks gave everyone tire troubles. Check out this shot of Depres tire, on which he continued to plod along. However, the absolute best story of the rocks: Annie Seel, Tomb Raider. She abandoned her bike seconds before it dove into a tomb. Unbelievable! (she's the same rider who earlier in the rally came across a cow in her path)
photo: Reuters/Jacky Naegelen
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And, of course, there are some wet spots along the route. We have yet to see how they hold up on the wet areas.

Photo: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

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I've put a few videos up on the Race Shop's front page. They're fun to watch.

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Now... back to the rally.....
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All the photos came from Boston.com/bigpicture. Photos brought to my attention by Sweet Fiend. (thanks!!)