After the Dakar, Jes Munk waited impatiently to be back again in the desert as he kept dreaming to cross the dunes and breath the wind of freedom that only bike riding can offer.
Today, the Sealine Rally took off with its first real special stage of more than 300 km. Jes completed it on the 15th position, a great result riding among the prestigious competitors attending the event, but at the finish line, the pain in his right hand was so strong that he could not hold the bike. For this reason, he must quit the race.

“Some weeks after the Dakar, I discover that the scaphoid of my right hand was broken. A doctor told me to wait for three months before going back to rally raid… I tried but it was impossible, – confesses the Danish rider.
I cannot hold the bike because it hurts so badly. So, I will go back to Denmark and take care of my wrist for serious, to be in shape for the Classic Aveyronnaise!
It´s sad, I was feeling fine on the bike. I decided to ride calmly during this rally, just to enjoy it. Today´s special was fast, and even in a straight track I was going 168 km/h… with my 450!! The beginning of the stage, and mostly the end of it were very nice, sandy, but too many dune passages to go through… the rest was not so interesting, stones, and many straight line tracks.”

Stage 1 : Provisional classification
1.    Marc Coma (KTM) 3h47’54
2.    Joan Barreda (Husqvarna)  0.8 from the leader
3.    Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha)  3’11
4.    Ruben Faria (KTM)  5’48
5.    Jordi Viladoms (KTM)  6’17
15.JES MUNK (KTM)  40’52

Provisional Overall Classification
1. Marc Coma (KTM)  3h50’41
2. Joan Barreda (Husqvarna) 0.6 from the leader
3. Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha)  3’10
4. Ruben Faria (KTM) 5’52
5. Jordi Viladoms (KTM)  6’23
15.JES MUNK (KTM) 41’16

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Road connection: 1,2 km – Special Stage: 4 km – Road connection: 1,2 km – TOTAL: 6,4 km

Yesterday, riders left the paddock of Losail International Circuit to get to the Starting Ceremony and cross the podium located at the Corniche, the road along Doha Bay.
Jes Munk, wearing number 21, accompanied Chaleco Lopez, and then went South to get to the bivouac of Sealine Rally, two kilometers away from the Resort that holds the same name.
Early this morning, the fog arrived but left place to let the breeze and the hot temperatures. Between 9 and 11 a.m., riders were authorized to go and test the signed track of the Super Special that took place at 12.45 for bikes.
The first best classed on this SSP have the right to choose their starting position for tomorrow, but Jes finished 16th. “I could have done the sand circuit over and over. There were only four kilometers to get in the mood, but it finished right after I started, it was way to short! But it´s all right, tomorrow we take the start at 5.45 a.m. for 330 km special stage. I think I will go ride a little bit in the dunes with my friends!” shares the Danish rider.

Provisional ranking  SUPER SPECIAL
1.    Joan Barreda (Husqvarna)  2’45.9
2.    Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha) from the leader 0.5
3.    Marc Coma (KTM) 1.3
4.    Jakub Przygonski (KTM) 4.1
5.    Ruben Faria (KTM) 5.3
16.  JES MUNK (KTM)  25.4

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Arrivé hier soir à Doha, Jes Munk a retrouvé sa KTM 450 avec beaucoup de plaisir et découvert le circuit de Losail où, la semaine dernière, se jouait le premier MotoGP de la saison 2012.

« Je n’ai plus couru depuis le Dakar, raconte le pilote danois, et cela me manquait terriblement. Je suis heureux de remonter enfin sur ma 450 KTM, d’être à nouveau au chaud car, ici, il fait 33°C, et de retrouver tous les copains…
Comme mon équipe, Gilbert et Judith, étaient sur place depuis mercredi et que ma moto était prête, nous avons  passé les vérifications administratives et techniques aujourd’hui, sur le circuit de Losail. C’est la première fois que je suis sur un circuit, c’est impressionnant, et cela m’a donné l’envie d’aller voir sur place un MotoGP cette année.
Demain, la cérémonie de départ démarrera vers 14h de la Corniche, la route qui longe la mer et, ensuite, nous rallierons en liaison le bivouac de Sealine, à quelques 45 km au Sud de Doha.
Je suis ici pour me faire plaisir — j’espère qu’il y aura beaucoup de sable — et pour continuer à faire progresser notre structure d’assistance.  »

PARCOURS SEALINE QATAR RALLY
Mardi 17 avril : Super Spéciale à Sealine
Liaison : 3,01 km – Spéciale : 5 km – Liaison : 3,01 km – Total : 11,02 km

Mercredi 18 avril : 1ère étape
Liaison : 3,01 km – Spéciale : 334,16 km – Liaison : 3,01 km – Total : 340,18 km

Jeudi 19 avril : 2e étape
Liaison : 3,01 km – Spéciale : 334,16 km – Liaison : 3,01 km – Total : 340,18 km

Vendredi 20 avril : 3e étape
Liaison : 3,01 km – Spéciale : 359,07 km – Liaison : 3,01 km – Total : 365,09 km

Samedi 21 avril : 4e étape
Liaison : 71,30 km – Spéciale : 209,50 km – Liaison : 3,01 km – Total : 283,81 km

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Tuesday 17^th of April : Super Special at Sealine
Liaison : 3,01 km – SS : 5 km – Liaison : 3,01 km – Total : 11,02 km

Wednesday 18^th of April : 1^st Stage
Liaison : 3,01 km – Spéciale : 334,16 km – Liaison : 3,01 km – Total : 340,18 km

Thursday 19^th of April: 2^nd Stage
Liaison : 3,01 km – SS : 334,16 km – Liaison : 3,01 km – Total : 340,18 km

Friday 20^th of April: 3^rd Stage
Liaison : 3,01 km – SS : 359,07 km – Liaison : 3,01 km – Total : 365,09 km

Saturday 21^st of April : 4^th Stage
Liaison : 71,30 km – SS : 209,50 km – Liaison : 3,01 km – Total : 283,81 km

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The result is not a matter when we cross the finish line of the Dakar! From the first to the last competitors, they are all winners! They won over the obstacles of the ground, over themselves, and earned the most beautiful personal victory after completing the challenge of more than 8000 km that took them to Lima.
From Argentina, crossing the northern part of Chile and the Atacama Desert, Jes arrive to Lima, the Capital of Peru after a small special stage of stressing 29 km.
“It was just dust,” tells Jes moved as he crossed the finish line of the Dakar 2012 with other 96 riders that survived the race. “I am so glad I made it! I had tears in my eyes while I was crossing the finish line, but I would need some time to realize of what I just did.
I just finished my first Dakar, and it is a huge life experience, I cannot explain why… it would be too long. I had an enormous life lesson that I might forget tomorrow, but today I understand why when we take part of the Dakar, we yearn to come back.
Physically I was well prepared, but I hurt a rib since stage two and it was painful. The Dakar is dangerous, more dangerous of how we could imagine, but I am glad that I participated and finished!
Now, I will go drink a beer and I would like to thank my team: Gilbert and Judith, that both made an outstanding job that allowed me to complete the Dakar. I would also like to thank Lolo, Mathieu and Mika that unfortunately broke their engines yesterday. It was great to be together and to share this experience with them!
And now, it´s time to party!”
STAGE 14 PROVISIONAL STAGE
1. Pal Ullevalseter (KTM) 22’26
2. Marc Coma (KTM) 1’08
3. Stefan Svitko (KTM) 1’43
4. Gerard Farres (KTM) 2’01
5. Alessandro Botturi (KTM) 2’11

43.JES MUNK (KTM) 10’34
PROVISIONAL OVERALL STANDING AFTER STAGE 14
1. Cyril Després (KTM) 43h28’11
2. Marc Coma (KTM) 53’20
3. Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha) 1h11’17
4. Jordi Viladoms (KTM) 1h40’56
5. Stefan Svitko (KTM) 1h47’28

52.JES MUNK (KTM) 15h19’20

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Nasca-Pisco, the last big special of the Dakar Rally, with lots of sand and dunes, was hard to complete for many riders and for Jes Munk that in spite of all difficulties arrived to the bivouac where the heat knocks hard!
On his way to the truck, the Danish rider cried out loud full of happiness over again the obstacles he surpassed to finish today’s special stage.
“I was blocked in hole in the dunes for at least half an hour, but I made it! Marcel Butuza was trapped in the sand and blocked the way, and I wanted to get through by the side without attending… and I got into a hole of sand, I made a mistake and I passed to neutral… I was totally trapped in the sand! And after I tried to get some sand out, Marcel wanted to help me and I put second gear instead of first and my bike was stuck again! I also had the beginning of an electric break down in the navigation instruments, but happily I felt the smell of plastic burning and I repaired quickly at the CP…
I am very sad for Mika (Pisano) that broke his engine; it must be very hard the day just before the finish.
The Dakar is an adventure every single day, and I am certain not to have had one “clear” day, but tomorrow we will arrive to Lima!”
STAGE 13: PROVISIONAL STANDINGS
1.    Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha)   3h21’16
2.    Cyril Després (KTM)  0’47
3.    Jordi Viladoms (KTM)  3’00
4.    Joan Barreda (Husqvarna)  5’13
5.    Paolo Gonçalvez (Husqvarna)  5’46

58.JES MUNK (KTM)  1h11’05

PROVISIONAL OVERALL STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 13
1. Cyril Després (KTM)  43h01’54
2.   Marc Coma (KTM)  11’03
3. Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha)  1h11’27
4. Jordi Viladoms (KTM)  1h41’12
5. Stefan Svitko (KTM)  1h49’36

53.JES MUNK (KTM)  15h12’37

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Yesterday, all riders were at the marathon bivouac, which mean no assistance, and slept in a village next to the Pacific Ocean, 150 km from Arequipa.
This morning, riders took back the road connection and then the track to get to Nasca, the touristic village known worldwide for its “lineas” built 2 000 years ago, visible from the sky. David Castera warned that after the passage in the coast dunes, the Dakar will face a “sand dragon” which would draw an indelible souvenir for riders. He was right.
Jes Munk arrived to the bivouac of Nasca invaded by the dust and the sand brought by a violent wind. He was somehow disappointed of the journey, but glad he made it.
“I really did well in the dunes, I overpassed many riders. Then, there were greyish dunes, very complicated to go through because you must find your way to cross them avoiding getting trapped, but I loved it, just like every time I go into the sand. It is a sensation of freedom, it is unbelievable! Unfortunately, the bike stopped and I thought it broke down… Five minutes later I started again and I understood there was a problem with the “vapor lock” due to the heat and how much we demand from the engine in the sand… so I waited another 5 minutes and I was able to continue. It´s a pity, I was doing well. But anyways, the most important as every single day is that I get closer to Lima!”
Tomorrow, the Dakar 2012 will have its last long special from Nasca to Pisco.
STAGE 12: PROVISIONAL STANDINGS
1.    Marc Coma (KTM)   2h24’38
2.    Joan Barreda (Husqvarna)  2’43
3.    Jordi Viladoms (KTM)  3’10
4.    Cyril Després (KTM)  3’57
5.    Paolo Gonçalvez (Husqvarna)  5’25

53.JES MUNK (KTM)  48’54

PROVISIONAL STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 12
1. Marc Coma (KTM)   39h38’16
2. Cyril Després (KTM)   1’35
3. Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha)  1h13’49
4. Jordi Viladoms (KTM)  1h40’34
5. Stefan Svitko (KTM)  1h41’45

53.JES MUNK (KTM)  14h03’54

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The Dakar left Chile behind and its party arrives to Peru. The crowd was there on the tracks for this first edition at the Inca´s land. The atmosphere was warm all along the road, very beautiful, that took the rally to Arequipa, except for bikes and quads that had their marathon stage, which means no assistance is allowed, and stop 150 kilometers away, at a small village.
The stage was once again divided in two, separated by a neutralized section of 130 kilometers. Jes Munk was again able to manage the difficulties of the day and finishes 43th and continues his way to Lima.
In the first part of the special, competitors crossed two “oueds” (rivers) quite deep.  “While arriving to the first river, very deep, I saw many riders on the other side with the bike dismounted because they felt into the water. I walked pushing the bike, but I stopped in the middle and waited for someone to help me. I didn´t want to fall like Faria, Duclos, Farres, the Yamaha bikes…” explains Jes to his assistance that waited for him in the road to Arequipa.
The second part was totally different. “There were mountains, a canyon… it was beautiful! Also the dunes… amazing! I had fun surfing on the sand! But also, there was a very hard downhill, with fesh-fesh deeper than 50 centimeters… It was terrible! I had a fall and among this sand soft as baby powder, my bike just disappeared! But there is only one thing that matters: LIMA!”
Tomorrow, the start of the special stage is moved 49.66 kilometers due to two rivers that are impossible to cross.
STAGE 11 PROVISIONAL STANDINGS
Cyril Després (KTM)  4h03’37
Gerard Farres (KTM)  1’39
Marc Coma (KTM)  2’01
Johnny Aubert (KTM)  3’30
Joan Barreda (Husqvarna)   4’53

43.JES MUNK (KTM)  1h10’18

PROVISIONAL STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 11
1. Cyril Després (KTM) en 37h11’16
2. Marc Coma (KTM)  à 2’22
3. Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha) à 1h08’40
4. Jordi Viladoms (KTM) à 1h24’46
5. Stefan Svitko (KTM) à 1h34’56

56.JES MUNK (KTM) à 13h17’22

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STAGE 10: IQUIQUE – ARICA

Road connection: 68 km – Special Stage: 376 km – Road connection: 249km – Total: 694 km

While competitor went south to take the start of the special stage, all assistance trucks took the Ruta 5 that goes next to Humberston and Santa Lucía, the two Saltpeter mines of the last century that now are world patrimony of the Unesco. For this last stage in Chile, Jes started by “gardening”, a terminology in rally raid that means “try to find one´s way while lost”. But even with it, he was able to finish in the 57th position.

“It was magnificent! The dunes were right there, just for me. With the ocean in the background, it was extraordinary! But at kilometer 238 I got lost and when I stopped, 10 kilometers further, I saw about 20 riders arriving from the same road, they all followed me… and I had to make a U turn. It is a pity because I lost time and I was doing a good performance, but oh well, I am at the bivouac in Arica and it is the only thing that counts for me.

I paid attention to the fesh-fesh because it was tricky, but I take it as another obstacle. The organization can put as much as tricks as they want, I will overcome them all, until the finish line in Lima.
The only thing that is hard for me is navigation, but I promise I will learn!”

Tomorrow, riders will go for a marathon stage, with no assistance and at a bivouac located 150 away from the one of the Dakar caravan.

STAGE 10 PROVISIONAL STANDINGS
1. Joan Barreda (Husqvarna) 4h18’43
2. Marc Coma (KTM) 1’32
3. Cyril Després (KTM) 3’39
4. Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha) 5’16
5. Jordi Viladoms (KTM) 8’48

57.JES MUNK (KTM) 1h31’36

PROVISIONAL OVERALL STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 10
1. Cyril Després (KTM) 33h07’39
2. Marc Coma (KTM) 0.21
3. Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha) 45’56
4. Jordi Viladoms (KTM) 1h18’52
5. Stefan Svitko (KTM) 1h24’38

59.JES MUNK (KTM) 12h07’04

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