Tuareg rallye 2015

A few weeks ago I did the Tuareg rally 2015. It was a great ride and the 570 performed flawlessly. The only problem I had was sand in the fuel tank by a loose cap (bike kept running great the rest of the day) and a stripped insert in the sub frame after a crash on day 6. To my surprise I became 6th overall.

My day 1:
Prologue of 4km. I start at the far right end of the row for Le Mans start. Start off and bites by acidification in my arms. I believe 10th over the finish line.
First special is 50km, starts with a riverbed, then fast tracks but that more and more sharp turns over stones. Last part I am behind a big 8x8 truck and cannot pass it.
Second special of 35km has many more turns and goes up and down but also fast parts.
Then we come by Canyon El Gloa, a beautiful riverbed. There are some technical parts.
Third test was fast, make a mistake in the beginning but quickly find the right way. At the end some dunes. In a soft dune I fall and see that my fuel cap is loose. Ee shovel sand went in. It happens near a cp. I see that I am low on gasoline but fortunately they've got a few liters. With sand in the tank, I drive the last part. In the evening I rinse the tanks and replace the microfilter. Engine ran well so for the rest leave it like this.


42st place

https://youtu.be/-d3OI_6hVUA

Day 2

A special of 200km. In the beginning nice navigating over rocky trails and climbing of a steep sandy hill. The rain has washed away a part of the track and we are redirected to CP1 over a gravel highway. I hit 160km/h. After the CP you just have to follow the arrow. I can make a lot of meters and overtaking is not a problem because there are many parallel pistes. Also, there is still quite a bit of sand in, I have it a little harder here. In Merzouga we go two rounds through the dunes.
9th place

https://youtu.be/4-ntsq_e69M

Day 3
Four rounds, 2x60 , 50 and 27km of dunes. The Le Mans start failed because the majority stays on his bike. The first round is delicious. Nice surfing on the peaks. Meet Dutchman on a WR. CP is behind a very high dune. Together we attack and eventually come up. Wow what a big hole down. At CP we laugh together. 2nd round I crash in every possible way and consider that this may be because the amount of fuel on the back and sit more back on the seat. This is a lot better. After the 2nd round I let them fill up the rear tank. This drives a lot easier. In the last round, I only see very few participants. Also, I drive in a virgin like dune area no one around and no tracks. Eventually only 15 riders get all CPs
11th place

https://youtu.be/ExL9TOdLiwA

Day 4:
In the first round I go straight to CP2 on a large dune, I miss the summit because of sun from the rear, ouch. Quite a face plant. To CP3 I come to a large dune so full throttle up, it is the Hausdune from the wrong side. Down again and start of next lap. After four rounds I have to go to the summit of the Hausdune. Via the left side up and then with a large bow to the CPF . With a roaring engine, I hit the top on the first attempt. Afterwards I go up just for fun 2x on the left side and once on the right.
Refueling, fresh oil and air filter .
12th place

https://youtu.be/b3-_wCiho7I

Day 5:
The reverse of day 2. 200km of fast piste very few navigation. In the beginning a narrow sandy canyon. And a piece of fesh fesh , what a nasty stuff is that . On the fast parts it is very dusty today. Profi's should must go to the top of a sandy hill to reach the SCP. I need a 2nd attempt. Later I hear that right side was much firmer and easier. Then 30km gravel highway with Danny 80km / h . Then a pebble path first I can overtake a 4x4 followed by the yellow van. Back home early.
9th place

https://youtu.be/Tu7a5LuLNA8

My Day 6:
In the first special(30km) I start as as 3rd. On a fast part I can take over the othe 2. Fun navigation at the water tower. Then some washouts and I cross the finish line first.
Second Special 150km. Fast first run, increasing bouncing boulders. Especially towards mobile phone mast. At a junktion I bounce on a stone. Then another 4 and I fly through the air, this is gonna hurt. My goggles fly off and hurt the mouse of my left hand and right ankle. Pick up my bike quickly but must first recover. Then I continue calmly. Then there are a few high, firm dunes that were very easy. Afterwards only small soft dunes. My front wheel sinks in a few times. Engine chugs water after another panic rev. Use camel grass to get up the steps. There seems no end to it. Last piece of the gas can open again. 3rd test (45km) is a lot like the beginning of special 2. More boulders. 4th Special is the first but then reversed so gas can be opend. Come in bivouac pretty cnackered.
Bolt of rear tank pulled from thread by crash, heli coil does not work so repair with ty-rips.
12th place

https://youtu.be/TuPAw4YYdR8

Day 7
The day starts with a navigation stage through a nice qued. Some difficult parts with big steps. Of cource my hurted ancle sticks to a bush and later a few other clumsy falls.
1st special is 30km. It's quite fast but then again lots of boulders. I take it easy because do not feel at ease after the yesterday's crash.
Then the liaison along the Draa Valley. Wow, Morocco is really beautiful. The asphalt road then again with speedbumps we already know from day one.
Special 2 is 49km. I'm waiting for the right time to start, suddenly comes the big 8x8 and is in a hurry to start. Quickly I get my helmet on and try to start before him, unfortunately I have to overtake him on the first piece of big stones. Further on many rolling stones. Some of the corners I take almost walking pace. Last part is again very fast. I'm glad I'm here. On to the restaurant for a tasty buffet. After a long wait until everyone is there we go in convoy to the show finish. It is over.
21th place
6th overall

Moving average: 53km/h
Total distance: 1700km


https://youtu.be/8_XywZrkPr0

The navigation stuff is already on the front this makes it pretty balanced when not completely full. With full tanks you feel the weight moving after turns but with 15L it is oké. For this rally we needed at most 13L. In the sub frame I had 2L emergency water just drilled 1 hole and plugged it with a rubber stopper.