Follow the race through the day by day updatings. Go to the race official website for all real-time rankings.

16/01/2010
A dream came true

The last special of the Dakar was only a fast-paced formality: Chaleco López and Aprilia rising on the third step of the podium. A dream came true for the rider and all the Team Giofil Aprilia Racing. To complete this incredible success, Ceci and Zanotti are 1st and 2nd in the 450 class in their first participation on the rally.
BUENOS AIRES – Last night, tension was so high that López couldn´t even sleep, and the mechanics controlled the Aprilia RXV 4.5 in the detail. As we know, the Dakar might reserve surprises on the last stage, but not this time. Francisco López is absolute 3rd in the Dakar rally, his best result ever, with a new bike and a new team that participated in the race for its very first time. It was not an easy way, the South American Dakar has been incredible, exhausting for men and means, but the strength and stubbornness of the Team Giofil Aprilia Racing has accomplished an incredible and unexpected result.

The Aprilia RXV 4.5 has proved being extremely competitive and reliable and after the fuel problems for the first two stages and the breaking of the chain in the seventh stage, but the strong Chilean rider fought for the victory.
For the last special of this 32nd Dakar, López and the team agreed not to take any risk: in a fast stage of 202 km the threat of ruining mousse and tires are high. It was though decided that it was better a 3rd safe place than a possible 2nd full of unknowns. Perhaps no bike in the Dakar´s history arrived so far in its first participation and "Chaleco" was the perfect interpreter of Aprilia´s potential.
A successful completed by the great race of the two Italian riders of the Team Giofil, Paolo Ceci and Alex Zanotti, both for their first Dakar. But not enough, the man from Modena and San Marino´s rider are respectively 1st and 2nd in the 450 class, and 14th and 18th in the overall standings, and they are now ready to celebrate their great success with Aprilia in Buenos Aires.
The only regret is for Gerard Farrés: the strong Spanish rider could have achieved an excellent team work, but a technical problem that cannot be resolved in terrain didn´t allowed him to continue his valuable work of “water carrier” for López. However, Farrés supported “Chaleco” during the whole race.
Tomorrow at La Rural, Buenos Aires, the final parade and the podium of this unforgettable Dakar for Aprilia and the Team Giofil will be carried out. But this finish line is not the end of the race; it is only a new beginning for Aprilia in rally raid.

Francisco Lopez: “It is amazing, I never thought of arriving so high. This is a dream come true, a dreamed about it for years. During the first stages it seemed to be difficult, but then things went better and better. Without the fuel and chain problems who know what would have happened, but the Dakar is a long and difficult race and these are things that must be foreseen. It is impossible to pass two weeks without the slightest problem. My Aprilia was exceptional and all the team did a great job to put myself in the best conditions. For a new bike and a team that is just starting, I could not ask for more. The most difficult time of this Dakar was the seventh stage, when I broke the chain, the most beautiful, besides being on the podium, was when I won the stage in Chile, in my country. Now is all about working immediately to continue the development of the bike and be more competitive, in order to go out for a victory in the next Dakar.”

Paolo Ceci: “I am so happy! Crossing the finish line of my first Dakar is, among a thousand daily problems, an enormous joy, it´s too hard to describe it, I can´t believe it yet. This race was incredible, tougher than I expected. Talking to other riders, they confirmed that you need to do the Dakar about five times to do well in the rankings. There is a long way to go, but for the beginning it´s perfect.”

Alex Zanotti: “My race started in ascent, but it continued the other way around, but I arrived to the end. Yesterday evening, people told me that in my condition, usually I would not have finished, but I decided to change from strategy and go always 80%. My shoulder came out twice, and other physical problems didn´t make it easy either, so satisfaction in this moment is even greater.”
Filippo Assirelli (Team Manager): “In fact, I don´t know what to say, but I see a reward for the tremendous work of these months and satisfaction is priceless. Absolute third, first and second in the 450 class, three bikes out of four arrived to the finish, nobody would have bet on a result like that, even if I did believe on us myself. Chaleco has also won three stages, only Coma in this Dakar won more than him. The potential of the bike is great, given that we are just at the beginning of the development, and now we must begin work immediately, in order to apply what we have learned in this tough Dakar.”

15/01/2010
Lopez flight is not enough

During a fast-paced stage, Lopez must surrender to the 690 bikes. He is 4th of the day and 3rd in the provisional podium. Ceci and Zanotti have some problems too, but they are still 1st and 2nd in the 450 class. Tomorrow is the last stage, with a timed section of 202 km of fast tracks.
SANTA ROSA DE LA PAMPA – The Dakar 2010 arrives to its end with the last stage tomorrow in San Carlos de Bolivar before the last road connection to Buenos Aires.
Today´s stage was a special like those that distinguish the ASO race. It´s certainly a formality being closer to the arrival in Buenos Aires, but the 368 km were physically demanding, even more exhausting with the high temperatures of the pampas in Argentina. It´s the Dakar and no one can tell who the winner is until they cross the finish line in Buenos Aires, and there are still 200 km to go in a very fast special tomorrow.
More or less in the style the day, after the first 40 km in the dunes of Nihuil, the timed section continued with very fast tracks at maximum speed. On this ground Francisco Lopez´s Aprilia 450 has suffered the attack of the KTM 690, in particularly that of his direct rival Pal Anders Ullevalseter. After being overtaken, Chaleco attacked back in a more technical sector, and then, the Norwegian in passed him again and finished the special a minute and a half before Lopez. Ullevalseter thus gained 5 ' 35 "on Lopez over the stage and takes back the second position in the overall ranking. Chaleco is now 3rd, 4 minutes from Ullevalseter and, obviously, first of the 450. Given the nature of the final stage, it will be very difficult to be able to take back the second step of the podium, but Lopez will do his best.
Meanwhile, Paolo Ceci and Alex Zanotti had some problems during the stage. Ceci´s GPS went off in the initial part on sand dunes, where he needed it the most. Failing to turn it back on, he followed the traces, then when GPS started to work again, he returned to make sure he marked all the way points required. After losing precious time, he was classified 25th. Now, a report for the race stewards is being written, but it doesn´t assure that he will be able to get back the lost time.
Alex Zanotti had problems in the dunes too. Climbing a very high dune he fell and his shoulder was injured once again. The enormous crowd helped him to make it back to the saddle, and then he drove the bike right to the top of the dune, which allowed him to finish the race at a reduced pace. Buenos Aires is near and Alex will have to hold on tight to complete his first Dakar. Now, Zanotti is 2nd in the 450cc class headed by Ceci.
Francisco Lopez: “In tracks that are so fast, it was impossible to keep the pace with the 690, even if my Aprilia is strong. First, Ullevalseter reached me, I overcame him and then he went away. The stage of tomorrow will be a fast track to go full gas, and I doubt that I could be able to take the second place back. But anyways it´s fine, the important thing is to arrive to Buenos Aires and THAT would be already an "outstanding" result.”
Paolo Ceci: “This is the second time during the Dakar that my GPS doesn´t work without a reason, and just where I really needed it. I followed the tracks then it worked again, but as I wasn´t sure to have gone through all the way points, I had to return to mark them.”
Alex Zanotti: “A trivial fall, I was climbing a very high dune, and I fell with the bike. I wasn´t going fast, but touching the ground I was on my shoulder once again. People rushed to help me and immediately pulled my arm to put my shoulder back ... It was so painful that I saw the stars! "

14/01/2010
Third triumph for Aprilia and "Chaleco”!

Aprilia and Lopez is a great match. The fantastic pairing achieved its third stage win today, in the longest stage of the Dakar 2010. Chaleco is 2nd in overall standings. Ceci and Zanotti are 14th and 15th today, always 1st and 3rd of the 450cc class.
SAN RAFAEL - When the game is hard, “Chaleco” Lopez knows how to shine. Today's stage, the longest of the Dakar with its 796 km, was the witness of the third stage win for the Team Giofil Aprilia Racing. After the success of stages in the Chilean side, in Antofagasta and Copiapó, “Chaleco” has developed its own seal in Argentina, arriving to bivouac of San Rafael as the winner of the day.

Today's special had 476 km divided in two sections, with a neutralized section of 130 km in between. In the first part Lopez arrived in the second position, little more than a minute behind his main rival, the Norwegian Ullevalseter. But as planned last night by the team, it was in the second part that he pushed deeper into more technical and sandy soil, where the Aprilia can give a great performance. The Chilean rider managed to make a difference by cutting the finish line third (began fifth), but with the best time of the stage, 1 ' 14 " ahead of Ullevalseter, just to stay calm, but at the same time he opened the gap from Rodrigues, who follows him in overall standings now by seven minutes.
Last night race stewards gave back the lost time for the wrong instruction of the police man to the first riders that followed his indications: Lopez, Coma, Fretigne, and Rodrigues. Lopez joined then Ullevalseter in overall standings with identical time, an unbelievable thing. But after today´s stage Chaleco occupies the 2nd step in the provisional podium alone, when it remains only two stages before the end of the 32nd Dakar.
Paolo Ceci and Alex Zanotti also did a great race today, finishing only 40 seconds from each other, in the 14th and 15th position respectively. In overall standings Paolo is 14th, but above all he is the leader of the Super Production 450 class, while Alex is 19th and occupies the third step of the provisional podium of the same class.

Tomorrow stage, from San Rafael to Santa Rosa de la Pampa, will be a nice way to measure forces. 725 km total, with a timed section of 368. Lopez will open the road by leaving the bivouac at 5.35am.
Francisco Lopez: "It was a very tough stage, especially for the high temperature, and I was a little dehydrated. The second part of the special was very technical, sort of Motocross with many jumps. In the first section I was able to overcome Street only 15 km from the arrival, there was too much dust. In the second part I passed Verhoeven, who was a little lost, and then I led alone. At the end I have been able to win the third stage of this Dakar. The bike was fantastic, even today; despite of the small cylinders the bike is very strong and excellent for steering. The only downside is that I have broken the front fender with a stone."

13/01/2010
The ranking depends on the jury

A policeman who deviates the first riders on the wrong way creates a bit of confusion on the 11th stage of the Dakar, the return to Argentina. Lopez is virtually 5th and 3rd overall. Ceci goes straight to the top in Super Production.
SAN JUAN – Everything happened in this 11th stage of the Dakar 2010. The special started once riders crossed the Andes Mountains though the Paso Los Libertadores to Argentina. An early departure for bikes this morning from Santiago, at 4h40am, to do the 211 km of connection before the 220 km special, which began in Uspallata to arrive not far from San Juan´s bivouac.

It should have been a stage calm like yesterday if it wasn´t because a policeman closed the right road that leaded to the first way point 13 km from the start. The first 5 riders took the wrong way, and Marc Coma did several kilometers before going back where he was taken the wrong direction because of the policeman´s indications.
Today´s ranking is provisional, as long as the jury takes a verdict over the situation. Francisco Lopez, detached 3 ' 48 " from the virtual winner, Frans Verhoeven, got once more the 5th position. Lopez was preceded a minute from his direct opponent Ullevalseter, while he has retrieved six minutes on Rodrigues. Small change in overall standings: the Chilean is always third at 2 ' 40´´ from Ullevalseter, followed by Rodrigues by seven minutes.
Regular race for Alex Zanotti and Paolo Ceci, even if it was entirely on the dust. The first rider struggles to keep a high pace despite of his physical problems on the shoulder, hand and ribs that forces him to drive with caution. Today he fell twice in the dust of those who preceded him and found himself more at ease in the concluding part of this stage, next to a river.
Ceci also fell two times fortunately without consequences. After that, he preferred to avoid overtaking others and the risk that goes with it. With the withdrawal of Pellicer today due to a fall that caused him a clavicle fractures, Modena´s rider went up to the top of the 450 class while his team mate is 3rd.

Tomorrow´s stage, the 12th of the Dakar, will bring all closer to Buenos Aires, with a journey of almost 800 km from San Juan to San Rafael. The special is divided into two sections of 204 and 130 kilometers respectively.
Filippo Assirelli: "The satisfaction for how things have gone so far is great, but it is really tough. Today we started the 3.30 a.m. we were all tested. I knew that this Dakar would be difficult, but you don´t realize until you are on it. We have three days to go, mechanics are tired and the riders too, but we must keep up to the end... C´est le Dakar!"
Paolo Ceci: "The trademark of this race is the dust, it is really frustrating to get the bikes and not be able to overcome them. Today I even fell twice, you couldn´t see anything, and then in the second part, which I did not like at all being in the bed of a river, I forced it further. With the withdrawal of Pellicer I am the leader of my class, so the goal is to not make mistakes.”
Alex Zanotti: “Dust, dust, today it was hard and I fell twice. In one of them, I turned a bit my arm and I felt a sharp pain on the shoulder. But the ribs make me suffer more; I have to breathe slowly otherwise feel big spasms. With all these troubles I cannot go to my normal rhythm, but the important thing is to be here, still in the race."

12/01/2010
Craziness for Chaleco

A big crowd waited for López at the finish in Santiago. He was 5th of today, while the fight with Ullevalseter and Rodriguez gets harder every day. Good journey for Ceci and Zanotti, 17th and 19th, respectively. Tomorrow the rally goes back to Argentina.
SANTIAGO – The Dakar continue its journey to the South with the tenth stage from La Serena, and the last portion of the Atacama Desert, to a bivouac about 40 kilometers from Santiago. The 238 km of the timed section were much richer in navigation, skids and dusty tracks.

Francisco López did take it calmly. He knew it wasn´t the special where he had to attack, and after he reached Despres, he decided to lower his rhythm and not to take unnecessary risks. At the end of the section, he marked the 5th time, slightly less than five minutes from today´s winner, Marc Coma.
There will be a big struggle in overall standings due to the small gaps between riders. If Despres continues his rally with no problems, the three riders that follow him are positioned within the next two minutes: Lopez is always 3rd, 1´18´´ from Ullevalseter, but there will also be a combat with the Portuguese Helder Rodrigues, who is only 52 seconds away from “Chaleco”.
Paolo Ceci and Alex Zanotti also had an excellent day too finishing 17th and 19th. They found themselves in a terrain similar to Sardinia, where they are use to run for years. The dust didn´t allow them to overtake many riders, so they their pace was inevitably reduced.
In overall standings, they both keep yesterday´s positions: 15th for Ceci and 21st for Zanotti.
Tomorrow the rally returns to Argentina though the Paso Los Libertadores, situated at 3500 m altitude, with the famous Aconcagua with his 6859 m peak as the background. A little after starting 220km of timed section riders will find themselves in altitude. The stage will finish in San Juan, at the feet of the Andes Mountains.
Francisco López: "Today I preferred to maintain a constant pace. There were so much people on the roads, and I felt the pressure. That is why after I approached to Despres, I decided not to take unnecessary risks. This was not a stage to take advantage. Tomorrow I´ll go fairly quiet.”
Alex Zanotti: "The dust was terrible today. It was fast, except for the part that leaded to the mountain. I overtake one rider, but I realized that risks where to high, so I reduced the pace. In addition, my hand and shoulder still ache, even my ribs, but I have to keep up.”
Paolo Ceci: “Today it was my special. Unfortunately I started 58th, and I had lots of people in front. I overtake thirty-two, including the Patronelli brothers, the fastest quad riders. I am sure that if I had started in a better position, I could have made it among the top 10. It was the terrain I like, but the dust acted as an unbreakable wall and I took a couple of risks.”

11/01/2010
Chaleco flies on the dunes

A particular stage, shortened to 170 km, all in the dunes, and starting in lines. Lopez was 3rd of the stage and in the overall standings as well. Meanwhile, Zanotti had a hard day and Ceci had to stop to change the fuel pump.
LA SERENA – The last part of the Atacama Desert was the scenery of the Dakar´s ninth stage, which was shortened to 172 km from the 238 planned and the departure was delayed to 11am due to the morning fog. The timed section had a spectacular start, with riders lined up by 10 at first and then, by groups of 20. Then, road connections to La Serena, a seaside city in the Pacific coast were the bivouac is located.
Despite of the reduced length of the stage in the dunes, it wasn´t simple at all. Many riders encountered navigation difficulties because of the traces from previous days.

Certainly not Francisco Lopez that paid attention not to consume too much fuel, took the right pace and finished 3rd, behind Coma and Despres. Just over a minute from the Marc Coma, Chaleco offered an excellent performance on his Aprilia, nearby the 690cc opponents.
Overall standings almost stay the same: Lopez has recovered only a few seconds on Pal Anders Ullevalseter and is always 3rd, less than four minutes from the Norwegian. But especially, his strategy was met: start tomorrow´s stage is announced to be dusty and he wants to start with the firsts.
Alex Zanotti has spent another day clenching his teeth. In sandy roads and dunes is not easy to steer with a shoulder and wrist wounded, but he scored 23rd time and occupies the 21st position in the general ranking.
Paolo Ceci was instead hit by a fuel pump problem, which wasn´t working well in the sand. Ceci had to stop to replace it and finished the stage 54, losing two places in the overall, he is now 15th.
Francisco Lopez: "It was a beautiful stage, not difficult but the start, with riders lined up, was spectacular. I initially found a little dust and I did not want to go full gas to avoid consuming excessively. Then I increased the pace and reached the third time. This is great since we are the first 450cc, with a minimum distance between the 690cc of Coma and Despres. The best thing is to start with the first riders tomorrow, because it will be a very dusty stage, and it will be perfect to begin behind Marc and Cyril.”
Alex Zanotti: "It wasn´t an easy stage, especially navigation speaking. At one point I stopped because there were bikes everywhere, I thought for a moment and I took the right direction. It wasn't easy; however, my body aches everywhere. But also, this is done, and Buenos Aires is getting closer."

10/01/2010
“Viva Chile...y Aprilia”

The continuation of the Dakar after the rest day was marked by the stage win of Lopez and Aprilia. The incredible Chilean achieves his second stage win and arrives to the 3rd position in the overall standings. Also a good day for Paolo Ceci and Alex Zanotti, who continues despite of an injured hand and shoulder.
COPIAPO – The air of Copiapo´s dunes has a great effect in Francisco Lopez. His victory in the 5th stage is now written in the Golden Book of the Dakar, but in the stage Copiapo-Antofagasta, “Chaleco” wanted to surprise everyone: He started today´s special, a timed section of 472 km, in the 17º. He overcame lots of riders and he arrived to mark the best time from about km 200, keeping it up until the finish line, a spectacular drop of sand that leaded directly to the bivouac in the Atacama Desert. Lopez has merged from 5th, then, in his triumphal outing he has passed twelve pilots, fully supported by his Aprilia RXV 4.5 that today reached the top speed of 164 km/h!
After the hard work of Team Giofil Aprilia Racing on the bike yesterday, the few hours of sleep were rewarded with this second stage victory of the Chilean rider. Lopez preceded Marc Coma and Pall Anders Ullevalseter, while the leader of the overall standings, Despres, finished 5th, 6´43´´ behind.

Excellent journey for the Paolo Ceci and Alex Zanotti . Both did almost all of today´s timed section together due to the poor physical condition of San Marino´s rider. By the end, Zanotti slowed down because of a strong shoulder and wrist pain, and reached Copiapó in 18th place, while Ceci obtained the final 16th position at 42 'from Lopez. Our knights of steel are in 13th (Ceci) and 20th (Zanotti) positions in the overall standings.
Tomorrow´s special has been shortened to 172 kilometers from the 338 expected, delaying the departure to 11h due to the morning fog. Bikes will start lined up by groups of 20 and the first part will be in the dunes: the show is guaranteed! The rest of the stage will be a road connection to La Serena.
Francisco Lopez: “Today I started the ambush right away; I knew I could make the difference. The first part was a very driven track that became faster gradually, and the last 40 km of sand dunes. I felt well, the Aprilia works great, and I'm delighted to have won here because my parents are here today.”
Alex Zanotti: “This morning I took the painkillers the doctors gave me, but at some point the pain became strong, from the shoulder to the wrist. Then I have to lower my rhythm, because I really want to do this Dakar until the end.”

08/01/2010
The longest stage

Today was the longest stage of the Dakar, 600 km of timed sector from a 641 total. Lopez broke the chain, while Ceci and Zanotti had also problems, but they are all in Antofagasta´s bivouac. Tomorrow is the rest day, before continuing with the second part of the race.
ANTOFAGASTA – A very hard stage, with seventh of the 32nd Dakar, has brought the caravan from Iquique to Antofagasta. Before the rest day, ASO has proposed the longest special of the rally, 600 km with all kinds of terrain, from trial to dunes, from fast trails to fesh fesh with never ending dust.
Every rider that finished the special as well as the Team Giofil Aprilia Racing´s said that the today was a very hard day.
“Chaleco” started very strong this morning, and he has reached three riders that started before him. He rolled well almost all along the special with his Aprilia RVX 4.5, even at CP5, km 355, he signed the best time. Eighty kilometers before the end, maybe because of a stone, his chain broke. Riders Fretigne and Duclos stopped to help him, but he has lost precious time fixing the bike that was losing fuel. He finished the stage 48 minutes behind the stage winner Marc Coma. After this, he descends to the 5th position in the overall standings, but in this Dakar everything is happening, so no one can anticipate the arrival to Buenos Aires.
Hard day for Paolo Ceci and Alex Zanotti too. The first one, 180 km before the end started to get oil from a fitting that he literally held. To avoid breaking the engine, he stopped many times to ask where he could get the indispensable lubricant and arrived to the end adding three or four litters of diesel engine oil. Therefore, he arrived in the 22nd position of the day, and he occupies the 15th overall now.

Zanotti had other problem. After 80 kilometers, his GPS stopped working. He waited for another rider to follow him. By the end of the special, there was too much dust, which characterizes this Dakar, and he did not see a stone, running into it, landing with his shoulder. He managed to finish the stage with the pain in the 20th position of the day, and takes the same place in the general ranking.
Fortunately tomorrow is the day of rest day. There is much work to do before starting the second part of the race, with the next two stages that had been announced as the most difficult of the whole rally.
Francisco Lopez: "Today´s special was really challenging, but I was well and after fifty miles, the dunes, I had already taken up the tread. Everything was working great, but after CP6 I broke the chain, the bike was dropped from the side and I was thrown from the saddle. It took me a long time to fix everything, especially a loss of gasoline due to the fall. It´s a pity because I felt in shape. Luckily tomorrow is rest day, and then we start again the rush to the podium, which I feel within my reach.”

07/01/2010
“Chaleco” Lopez unstoppable

The sixth stage of the Dakar 2010 was a bad day, marked by the accident of the Italian rider Luca Manca, fallen at kilometer 10 of the special. Lopez is 4th in today´s stage and maintains his 2º position in the overall ranking. Paolo Ceci concluded 16th, while Zanotti, who stopped to help his compatriot, finished right behind.
IQUIQUE – The Dakar´s sixth stage started this morning in Antofagasta heading north to Iquique, not far from the frontier with Peru and Bolivia.
The day was marked by the accident of Luca Manca. The Sardinian rider fell at kilometer 10 of the timed section and had a cranial traumatism. He was rescued by the medical helicopter and repatriated to Calama´s hospital, one of the most equipped in Chile. After the medical team stabilized him, he was transferred to Santiago, to the “Mutual de Seguridad” Hospital, to be treated in the neurosurgery department of this hospital medical center.
Starting first on today´s special, of 418 kilometers, Francisco López had some difficulties opening the road, and Cyril Despres overcame him. However, he did not lost his spirit and went full gas to get back the lost time, and finishing in the 4th position. In today´s ranking Chaleco is absolute 4th, preceded by Coma, Despres and Rodriguez.
The Chilean, author of yesterday’s historic victory for the team Giofil Aprilia Racing for his first time in the Dakar, maintains his 2nd place overall behind Despres.
Meanwhile, Paolo Ceci is now 16th. Today he fell at kilometer 30, nothing bad, but the bulb and the GPS were destroyed, so he had to trust his only his road book for the last 380 kms of the timed sector, finding great difficulties to get out of the dunes in the last part of the special.
Alex Zanotti stopped to help Manca, when was rescued by helicopter. Then he continued his race and finished on the 17th position of the day. He climbed up to the 24th position in the overall standings.
Tomorrow, return to Antofagasta with the longest special of the Dakar 2010: 600 kms before the rest day.
Francisco Lopez: “I had some difficulties finding the right way in the first part of the stage, and I lost a little time. Then, I decided to attack to get the lost time back. A 4th place today is really positive and it is important to maintain regularity without errors. The Aprilia RXV 4.5 has gone very well today, I am truly happy.”

06/01/2010
Stage win for Lopez and Aprilia in Antofagasta

Prophet in his homeland, the Chilean rider wins the stage and goes up to the 2nd place in the overall standings, behind Despres. Ceci is 16th of the day and keeps his 11th general position. The first stage victory for Aprilia in the Dakar!
ANTOFAGASTA – After the fuel problems in the early days, the first victory for Aprilia in the Dakar has finally arrived: Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez wins the fifth stage of this 32nd Dakar, from Copiapo to Antofagasta. Lopez was the hero of the day; he flew over the Atacama Desert with his Aprilia RXV 4.5 during the 483 kms of the timed sector, crossing fast and stony tracks. Chaleco reached Casteu around km 150, and then aimed to reach Coma and Despres. The Spaniard was stopped because of the explosion of his rear tire, so Lopez kept on going hard during the special, after Despres. Starting two minutes behind the Frenchman, he was thus awarded with 1'30'' ahead of the leader and 13'13'' from the 3rd place, David Frétigné at the end of the special. With this great day, López has taken a huge step forward in the overall standings and is now 2nd, behind Despres.

Also Paolo Ceci, who suffered of low visibility due to fog and dust at the beginning of the special, arrived to the finish line in Antofagasta with his regular rhythm. The man from Modena is an example of constancy, and with his 16th position today, he keeps his 11th place overall, which makes him look out for the top ten. In his side, Alex Zanotti concluded today 28th, and climbed to the 35th position in the general ranking. The Team Giofil Aprilia Racing has unfortunately lost the valuable contribution of Gerard Farres. Yesterday evening there was a technical problem with his bike that could not be resolved, reason for which the team chose not to risk any further into the long and difficult stage of today. Strong and motivated, the Spaniard, impeccable shoulder of Chaleco in these early stages, was clearly sad for his Dakar´s withdrawal, but rather think about the next Cross Country Rally World Championship, where he will have the opportunity to play a great role.
Francisco Lopez: “Today´s special was very hard and long, lots of fast tracks in the first part. After 130 kilometers I reached Casteu, so I passed and he went away. I then my target was to reach Coma and Despres, and when I saw the Spanish riders stopped for a problem with his tire and I continued to attack further to see Despres. To win here in my country is a fantastic. To do so with the Aprilia is even better.” Filippo Assirelli (Team Manager): “Finally, the victory we were waiting for. After all the work and the problems of these months and these early stages, our happiness is immense. Chaleco is a great rider, incredibly fast and here in Chile, the support from all the people is huge. But we must keep our feet on the ground. We are here to acquire more experience and the Dakar is still long."

05/01/2010
La Dakar is now in Cile

After crossing the Andes Mountains, the Dakar arrives in Chile with its fourth stage. Today´s special was shortened 40 kilometers. Lopez is absolute 4th of the day and keeps the 7th position in the overalls, while Ceci is 16th and 11th in the overall standings. COPIAPO – The Dakar´s caravan left Fiambala this morning at 5h30am to cross the border to Chile in the Andes Mountains, before arriving to the Atacama Desert. The start was planned for 4am, but it was delayed an hour and a half due the delay of many competitors that were still on the last special, which was a very difficult stage.
For this reason, today´s timed section was shortened in 40 kilometers and the end was changed to CP3. Almost four hundred kilometers of road connection to overcome the Paso San Francisco, located at 4700 meters of altitude, then the Chilean Customs and finally the Special of the day, a very fast track, great for high cylinder bikes.
Everything was OK for this stage that leaded López into his homeland. Yesterday night, technicians of Team Giofil Aprilia Racing have worked on the mapping of the electronic transmission controller to limit the RXV 4.5 consumption, which has been the problem for the Chilean rider in the last two stages.

Today Chaleco was 4th, five minutes away from the unleashed winner Marc Coma and in overall standings, and he maintains the 7th overall position 39 minutes behind the leader, Cyril Despres.
Paolo Ceci is doing of his regularity his best weapon. The Italian rider has enjoyed navigating and concluded 16th of the day, maintaining his 11th position in overall standings.
More problems today for Farres and Zanotti. Both started in the back, so they had to face a very dusty special, overtaking many risks, especially Zanotti who had to overcome a large group of quads, using at least half of the special trail for it, and forced to reduce his pace. Lots of passing and dust for Gerard Darres, who managed to finish 21st.
Tomorrow, the sixth stage from Copiapo to Antofagasta promises to be a very important day: The Atacama Desert will be the scenario for a 483 km special from a total of 670 of the stage.
Francisco Lopez: "It was a great stage today, very fast, little navigation. We finally arrived in Chile and now things get serious. I think we managed to resolve the problems of consumption, now we are trying to get back what we´ve lost.”
Paolo Ceci: “Today went well; it was a nice but fast special. The first part was over 3000 meters of altitude, so not everybody could go full gas. After fifty kilometers I reached Pellicer and from there I started to navigate solo, with him next to me. It was a very funny stage; off track navigation and looking for CAPs"
Alex Zanotti : “Starting back is doing most of the special covered by an enormous dusty cloud. Just before I leave, a quad group took the start, so it took me hundred kilometers to be able to pass them, and I was going at a low rhythm, not faster than 70km/h.”

04/01/2010
The Aprilia knows how to fly but it dries

After an ambush day in the very difficult special heading to the Fiambala, López sees the effects of the efforts in fuel a few kilometers away from today´s arrival. “Chaleco” is 5th, while Ceci is 14th.
It should have been THE day, but the excessive consumption of the bike frustrated the efforts. This morning Chaleco Lopez was gone full gas, attacking in his style and at CP2, kilometer 160, and he arrived 6th, after starting on the 25 position. However, the last kilometers of the special, fuel was once again a problem, and he lost 20 minutes before rejoining the race. A very long time without which he would have won the stage and not the 5th place, 17 minutes behind the winner of the day, the Frenchman, Cyril Despres. Even if it wasn´t very long, 184 kilometers, today´s special was a true hell, with the first forty kilometers of the so-called "herbe de chameaux", which obligated to reduced speed. Then, it was the time of the white dunes of Fiambala, another step that required an additional effort from men and means. The race has lost some riders today such as Fretigne, yesterday´s winner, because of engine problems, or Viladoms, fallen at the beginning of the special and rescued by the medical helicopter. Natural that the courage of Lopez is kind of grounded. Today he lost a great opportunity to bring get to the top of the ranking, although he is still absolute 7º, 37 minutes from the new leader Despres, he could be in a better position considering he has lost about forty minutes in the last two stages.

Good race for Paolo Ceci. He arrived destroyed to the finish line, but, besides a couple of harmless slips, he did not have major problems in the stage. He concluded 14º, while in general standings he is now 11º. Meanwhile, Gerard Farres had fuel problems, his tank was dried and he has not yet arrived to Fiambala´s bivouac. Alex Zanotti concluded the stage 51º.
Francisco Lopez: “Today it was the great opportunity, I felt very well and I have attacked full gas. The first part was very technical, I passed many pilots and I was convinced to do it, to win the stage, but once again, no fuel. It is sad, after so many efforts, I finished stage. However the Dakar is still long and given what has happened today to many riders, the unknowns are many. We hope to resolve consumption problems this evening. Now I would be very close to Despres”.
Paolo Ceci: “I don´t think I´ve ever done a stage so hard in my whole life, there was everything! The first forty kilometers were like hell, and the white dunes were also difficult. However I am glad, motorcycle does well and I am coming more into the race.”

03/01/2010
Chaleco attacks but lacks of fuel

LA RIOJA -A terrible misfortune has slowed down Francisco Lopez´s race today. The Chilean ranked 5th yesterday was ready to attack this morning shortly after 7am, the second special stage of Dakar 2010, from Córdoba to La Rioja. Perfectly supported by his Aprilia RXV 4.5, the Chilean had reached David Fretigne, today's winner, but 5 kms before the refueling, he run out of it. He managed to get there by borrowing some, but obviously he lost precious time, concluding the stage on the 25th place, 20 minutes away from Fretigne.

Today´s stage was very challenging because of the rain fallen the night before that stayed with the riders for the first part of the race. The timed 294 km, very technical, has caused problems to many riders because of a muddy and slippery ground. Then, the weather got better for the bivouac in La Rioja, in the homonymous province of Argentina, where the temperature reached 40 degrees.Aprilia´s best rider of the day was Gerard Farres, despite of a fall at km 140 that injured his knee. He was driving fast and achieved the 10th position, ten minutes from the leader.
Excellent journey for Paolo Ceci, who did a stunt slide. With his regularity, the man from Modena has concluded 13th, while Alex Zanotti had another unfortunate day. Starting 85 ° this morning, he found all the first part of the special almost impossible to drive through, reason that obligated him to reduce his speed, and stop to help the Turkish rider that helped him yesterday, whose bike was trapped in the mud. 

In the overall standings Farres is now 8th, while Lopez occupies the 13th position and Ceci is 15th. Zanotti is 85th, after a penalty of thirty minutes for not respecting a speed limit in a controlled area.
Francisco Lopez: "My moral is down. I was going really well, the bike was perfect and this is something we didn´t want. The race is still long, but starting like this does not help to keep me calmed and focused. "
Paolo Ceci: “This morning was really terrible, raining, and there was foggy, you couldn´t see anything. The first part of the special was very slippery, and then it was better. At km 150 I felt, I slipped, fortunately without consequences. Today, there were many parts make me think I was in Sardinia.”
Gerard Farres: "Today was a beautiful stage, difficult and technique and I found myself well on it. Unfortunately I fell after km 140, and I my knee is swollen."
Alex Zanotti: "Starting back from the riders I found a real slaughterhouse in the first 40 kilometers, I had to go like crawling along with the quads. Then I was able to go with my pace, but I had to stop to help the Turkish rider who had given me a hand yesterday."

02/02/2010
Chaleco takes special measures

The first special stage of the 32nd Dakar, shortened to 165 from the 219 kilometers initially planned. Lopez does not force too much and arrives 5th and Farres on the 13th place. Paolo Ceci, slowed by the dust, is 18th. Problems for Alex Zanotti.
CORDOBA - Now it starts to get serious. After all the preliminary days, the Dakar goes live with the first real step, a stage short but technical. The riders took off last night, from 4h25m from Colon´s bivouac, in the province of Buenos Aires to head to the first selective stage, after a transfer of 403 kilometers. Yesterday evening, at the press briefing, a shortening of 54kms for this first stage was announced: after an abundant rainfall these days, the tracks became impossible. The timed sector was so reduced to 165kms of the 219 planned. However, a very technical stage, with a fast part in the beginning.
The gap between the riders was small because of the shortness of the SS. The winner of the first stage was David Casteu, ahead of Despres and Coma. Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez takes the 5th place of the day, 2'42''from the winner, securing a good grid position for tomorrow's stage.
The Chilean rides without taking risks, considering a "warming up" stage to gain confidence with the bike and land in Argentina. Very good test for his "water carrier" Gerard Farres. The Catalonian did not forced his pace either, and has sought in particular to take confidence with the road book, which he is not used to since last Dakar. Farres was 13th, 4'45'' from Casteu.

Slowed by the dust, since he started thirty-fifth, Paolo Ceci has dealt the first day with special attention, overcoming a dozen of riders who started before him. With the 18th place today, at 8'43''from the winner, the man from Modena can start tomorrow in a less awkward position. Problems instead for Alex Zanotti. Three kilometers before the end of the special, San Marino´s rider had a technical problem with the bike and lost 26 minutes. Tomorrow begins with a mileage more important: the second stage from Cordoba to La Rioja with a total of 626kms. The special stage will start after a transfer of 56kms and it will be composed of 294kms.Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez: "I am very satisfied, I ran quiet without taking risks in order to gain the feeling with the Aprilia RXV 4.5. I enjoyed it, the special was very technical to drive and a fifth place is a good start.”
Gerard Farres: "It was a year ago, from Dakar, that I haven´t done races with road book, so I drove calmly to regain the automatic navigation. Everything is OK, the bike is very nice to ride and I enjoyed it.”
Paolo Ceci: “The first part of the special was really fast, then we climbed higher in altitude and the soil became very technical, it seemed like Sardinia. I was slowed down by the dust: starting with the number 35, I passed at least a dozen of riders, so I feel tired."

01/01/2010
Great crowd for an unforgettable start

A huge crowd, of about five hundred thousand people are expected for the start of the 32nd version of the Dakar Rally, which will leave Buenos Aires today at 2h30pm. Everything is ready in the Giofil Aprilia Racing Team to achieve the difficult months of work that preceded the new adventure in South America.
BUENOS AIRES - The big day has arrived! After a quiet end of the year for the 373 teams at the Dakar 2010, the race becomes a reality today. This morning at 10am in La Rural, the headquarters of the Dakar Rally here in Buenos Aires, an introductory briefing was held by the Dakar´s director, Etienne Lavigne, and sporting director, David Castera. All basic rules of the race to ensure safety were presented, as well as an explanation over this year´s race roads, which are very challenging, even on paper. Argentina´s first two stages will be driven without much navigation, with different routes for cars and bikes . There weather remains the unknown factor of the day, the sky is gray in Buenos Aires and threats of rain. Giofil Aprilia Racing Team has arranged the final details of the expedition logistics yesterday and is now ready for the great adventure of the Dakar
in South America. The official start will be at 2h30pm (the 18h30 in Europe), from the stage located in Avenida 9 Julio, where bikes will start first, in reverse order of number. The Aprilia riders will leave after 15h, to face a first transfer of 317kms to Colon in the province of Buenos Aires. The first special stage will be tomorrow, a stage of 652 kilometers between Colon and Cordoba, 219kms of which will be timed. A first special stage not too challenging to start getting to get the heart of the race and point to Chile, where the most important and complicated journeys will take place.

Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez was very focused and calm this morning: "The first two stages will begin get use to the bike, the terrain and the other competitors. I think I will go up to 70%, without taking unnecessary risks. The important thing is to stay with them, no attack in force. The real race will be in Chile and these early days will be used to develop all necessary details to try to do a good Dakar.” More tension, however, for Alex Zanotti and Paolo Ceci, their first experience in ASO´s marathonic rally. "The four days spent here," said Zanotti "they were a bit stressful, everything needs to be set up. Now is a great moment and the tension begins to be felt. I'll have to try to change the way I drive, normally very aggressive: the race is long and to get to the bottom I must maintain a constant concentration."
More or less the same content in the words of Modena´s Paolo Ceci: “Here we are, finally! I could not wait anymore. Now we start with a little agitation, it is such a big thing. I am sure that once we will start, the situation will calm down, but in this moment the emotion is strong."