Tan Tan – Zouerat
5th January 2006

“That was a great stage,” said Nick Plumb at the end of his sixth day of riding.

Plumb had set of shortly after 1:30am to start the 336km liaison section to today’s special stage. Due to the start time most of this stage (some of which was off road) had to be covered in the pitch black.

“This year my bike is fitted with two Touratech Xenon lights,” explained Plumb “I’ve also got one that I’ve modified to fit to my helmet. Luckily my mechanic, Bernie, has managed to fix my bike lights after yesterdays crash so they all worked perfectly”

Nick made good time on the Liaison and arrived at the start of the special stage with enough time to catch some much needed sleep before setting off on the 444km special.

“I found out that I had the same start time as the Race to Dakar guys [minus Charley Boorman who unfortunately had to retire yesterday through a suspected broken hand]” said Plumb “so we rode the first part together. We went flat out for the first 200km or so until I lost the guys at the fuel stop. It’s not the most fun on these long flat out stages but it is satisfying to know that you’re eating up those miles”

Shortly after the fuel stop the riders hit the sand dune section of the special stage, which almost proved disastrous for Plumb.

"After the last couple of days I was paranoid that something else was going to go wring" explained Plumb "I was praying that I wouldn't be in another crash and that I'd get to the  end of the stage without giving Bernie another busy night"

Everything was going to plan until Plumb entered a sandy corner.

“I saw a crew filming on the corner” explained Nick “I only glanced for a split second but before I knew it I hit the floor. It was a pretty big crash and I’m surprised they didn’t televise it. I’d twisted the front end again but after getting up and dusting myself and the bike down I rode off with the handlebars turned so that I could go in a straight line”

A short distance on Nick hit the second checkpoint of the stage and together with the officials tried to straighten the front end. This seemed to work but after another short ride Plumb had to stop again to see if he could make a better job of it. Whilst trying Simon Pavey and Matt Hall of the Race to Dakar team caught up with him and together they managed to straighten it enough to set off and finish the stage together.

Today was also an eventful day for front-runner Cyril Despres who dislocated his shoulder in an accident. In true Dakar spirit he has continued with the race although his chances of a top place finish are now slim.

Plumb is currently running in 90th place overall with Pavey and Hall of the Race to Dakar team in 116th and 107th respectively.