Putting in yet another consistent stage performance in South America, Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team rider Rodney Faggotter has moved up to 16th in the 2018 Dakar Rally’s provisional overall standings. With just one stage still to be contested, the experienced Aussie racer is now looking to wrap up this extremely demanding event on a positive note.
One of the most consistent racers in this year’s Dakar Rally, Rodney has only once failed to finish inside the top 30 in the 11 stages contested so far in South America. On Friday, the WR450F Rally powered rider enjoyed a steady performance that helped him reach the end of stage 13 in 21st position.
Currently placed 16th in the overall standings, Rod is 46 minutes behind the rider in front of him. Looking forward to tomorrow’s final stage, the Yamaha Racing competitor will do his best to wrap up the event inside the top 15.
Saturday’s stage 14 will be the last step of the epic adventure that has been the 2018 Dakar Rally. Following a circular route starting and finishing in the city of Córdoba, the stage will feature a 120km timed special plus an extra 166km of liaison section.
Rodney Faggotter – Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team #44
21st Stage 13 – 16th Overall
“It’s been a very long day with more than 14 hours on the bike. There were two separate timed specials with a long ride section in between. I started quite steady in the first part. There were some sections with deep sand and just tried to remain fast without making mistakes. Then the second timed special was pretty fast. We were going 150km/h so we all had to stay focused on the road ahead and keep it on two wheels. Overall, it’s been a good day for me and I’ve managed to move up a couple of spots in the overall. I’m 16th overall now and I’m looking forward to bringing it home tomorrow.”
Alexandre Kowalski – Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team Director
“It’s been a long and demanding day for all, but it brought us one step closer to our goal. We woke up at 4:30am this morning and Rodney took the start of the stage a few minutes before 6am. We are all in the last bivouac of the race in Córdoba. Our mechanics will make the final checks on Rod’s WR450F Rally machine so that everything will be all-right for the last stage tomorrow. Rod has been doing a great job so far making us all proud with his progress in this rally. He’s one of the most consistent racers and tomorrow he will give his best for a top 15 finish. To see him cross the finish line tomorrow will be a good reward for all our hard work during these last two weeks. We’ll be waiting for him at the finish line to celebrate this special moment with all the members of the Yamaha squad.”
Dakar Rally 2018 – Stage 13 – Provisional Classification
1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 04:48:33
2. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 04:50:36, +02:03
3. Antoine Meo (FRA), KTM, 04:51:17, +02:44
4. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 05:00:05, +11:44
5. Joan Pedrero (ESP), Sherco, 05:03:45, +15:12
6. Johnny Aubert (FRA), Gas Gas, 05:04:43, +16:10
…
21. Rodney Faggotter (AUS), Yamaha, 05:30:27, _41:54
Dakar Rally 2018 – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 13]
1. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 41:33:42
2. Kevin Benavides (ARG), Honda, 41:56:13, +22:31
3. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 42:01:27, +27:45
4. Antoine Meo (FRA), KTM, 42:23:59, +50:17
5. Gerard Farres (ESP), KTM, 42:35:01, +01:01:19
6. Johnny Aubert (FRA), Gas Gas, 43:27:54, +01:54:12
…
16. Rodney Faggotter (AUS), Yamaha, 45:25:18, +03:51:36
Race Schedule – Dakar Rally 2018
Stage 1 | Jan 6 | Lima to Pisco | SS: 31km | Total: 272km
Stage 2 | Jan 7 | Pisco to Pisco | SS: 267km | Total: 278km
Stage 3 | Jan 8 | Pisco to San Juan de Marcona | SS: 295km | Total: 501km
Stage 4 | Jan 9 | San Juan de Marcona to San Juan de Marcona | SS: 330km | Total: 444km
Stage 5 | Jan 10 | San Juan de Marcona to Arequipa | SS: 264km | Total: 770km
Stage 6 | Jan 11 | Arequipa to La Paz | SS: 313km | Total: 758km
Rest Day | Jan 12
Stage 7 | Jan 13 | La Paz to Uyuni | SS: 425km | Total: 726km
Stage 8 | Jan 14 | Uyuni to Tupiza | SS: 498km | Total: 584km
Stage 9 | Jan 15 | Tupiza to Salta | SS: 242km | Total: 754km
Stage 10 | Jan 16 | Salta to Belén| SS: 372km | Total: 795km
Stage 11 | Jan 17 | Belén to Fiambalá | SS: 280km | Total: 484km
Stage 12 | Jan 18 | Fiambalá to San Juan | SS: 375km | Total: 722km
Stage 13 | Jan 19 | San Juan to Córdoba | SS: 423km | Total: 904km
Stage 14 | Jan 20 | Córdoba to Córdoba | SS: 119km | Total: 284km
