Dakar could damage ancient fossils in Peru

For the first time in its history, the Dakar will pass through Peru. While there is much enthusiasm for being part of the 2012 edition, there is also some concern that the race will go through several mythical places of Peru.

The Paleontological Museum in Peru "Meyer Hönningen" is alarmed that the vehicles damage the giant ancient animal fossils found in the area called "Ocucaje".




Klaus Hönniger, director of the museum, is studying since five years ago paleontological vestiges of the area in the desert of Ica and Arquipa, and he said he was "very concerned". But on the other hand, Hönniger said that the heritage of the Nazca lines "would be protected."

The fossils come to the surface and anyone can see and that is a prehistoric cemetery, Ocucaje, a 40 million years parched lands that were once flooded by the sea, it is one of the most coveted quarry marine debris paleontology.

In Ocucaje area were discovered fossilized giant megalodon teeth, which was a shark. Also bones of a huge penguin with colorful feathers and remains of Melvillei Leviathan, a whale with teeth longer than the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

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The Replacement for David Fretigne

A few days after the start of the most anticipated event, one of the major riders in the Dakar Rally, David Fretigne, took the imperative decition: not to participate in the competition due to a spinal injury. He is not healed as it should and therefore doctors established that "withdrawn" was the best to avoid further health complications.
But the place left by the motorcycle "Gallo" in Husqvarna team gave the opportunity to Jose Manuel Pellicer. The Spaniard received a call some days ago, to represent the Swedish brand in the adventure that will take place from 1 to 15 January in Argentina, Chile and Peru.

"I was alredy out of Dakar this year, now there is been three days of frantic activity to organize my participation. My only goal is to collaborate with the team in everything they need and stay close to my teammates if I can. After many years spent in Rally, this new experience to race as a piece of a large and big brand like Husqvarna is a great satisfaction" said Iberia.




Barreday Joan, the other team driver, said "certainly, to be part of an official team as Husqvarna is a big motivation" and also talked about Frétigné: "I ​​want to send a message of encouragement to David, I'm sure he will soon be back to 100 percent, "he said.

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David casteu: lot of pressure

A blue pack winds its way from stand to stand in the scrutineering area, each stamp adorning the paper only after a long session of hand shakes. This is because David Casteu and the members of the Yamaha team are long-standing regulars on the Dakar – even if the colour of their shirts has changed, the team's members have remained the same.





“In fact, Yamaha has hired my team, so in addition to being a rider, I'm still the boss. It's great to receive such a warm welcome because it shows that we leave a deep impression on people and that they are awaiting us with baited breath. But it also brings a bit of pressure with it”.

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Alain Duclos: we have learned the lessons from past mistakes

For his 2nd year as a professional rider with Aprilia, Alain Duclos is back with a whetted appetite to tackle the Dakar and is guiding his friend and new team-mate, Arnaud Besnier.

“This year, we have a third rider with myself and Francisco Lopez, who will help us, in order to avoid the same thing happening as last year. But “Chaleco” is still clearly our team leader and I'll be doing all I can to help him win. What's more, I think his mishap in Tunisia has calmed him down a little. He'll be taking fewer risks on the tracks. As for me, if I can manage to break into the Top 5, I'll go for it, that's a sure thing”.

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Quad: The favourites

In the maze of administrative scrutineering, it feels like the build-up to the big event. Like boxers at a weigh-in, the Patronelli brothers greet the Maffei clan; the two times winners face to face with their fiercest rival, alongside Copetti, Laskawiec, or Declerck, in a category in which the playing field has been levelled by rules limiting engine power to 700cc.It is finished for 900cc machines, which make link stages easier, though this is a false advantage according to Alejandro Patronelli, the current title holder: “I prefer the restrictions. Handling a 900cc is harder, more tiring, it weighs 100 kg more and braking is trickier.In any case, this race is not a conventional race. First and foremost it's a major journey and a massive challenge”.

Tomas Maffei (7th in 2011 with 2 stage wins), is also focused on this aspect: “The marathon stage will be the stand-out moment of the rally. There will be racing, but also solidarity on that day. A genuine day of Dakar racing”. However, the face-off has already started.

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Velociudad Circuit for Rfactor game

Former MotoGP champion Nicky Hayden breaks ribs in training crash

American Hayden became MotoGP world champion in 2006

Former MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden has broken two ribs and a shoulder blade during a training accident in Kentucky.

The American suffered the injuries near his home in Owensboro and has since had x-rays, a CAT scan and an MRI.

Ducati confirmed that no surgery has been scheduled but that the 30-year-old rider would have the fractures assessed in California next week.

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Nicky Hayden has won three grand prixs in his career - USA 2005 & 2006 and the Netherlands in 2006

"Injuries are never good but it's part of motorcycle racing," Hayden said.

"I was starting to train again, like I normally do during the winter, at a private track near my house. I came up behind another rider, and he went to move out of the way.

"I wasn't going that fast, but he clipped my front wheel and I went down and landed pretty hard on my left shoulder, and that was it."

Hayden, who became MotoGP world champion in 2006, had been training for the first time since breaking his wrist during the Valencia Grand Prix in November.

The first race of the new season will take place at the desert circuit of Losail in Qatar on 8 April 2012.

From BBC Sport