Mick Extance - Dakar Rally Journal
[Posted 12.01.07]
Best British rider in Dakar Rally, Mick Extance is found safe after missing overnight in the desert
Optoma Loans Honda Dakar rider, Mick Extance has been found in the desert and is now on the Sweeper Truck for stranded riders, heading to Atar in the middle of the Sahara, for a medical check up.
The 42 year old father of three from Spondon near Derby spent last night in the desert in freezing temperatures after a suspected engine failure 80km from the end of yesterday's stage. Dakar Rally Officials lost him on their Race Tracking device and Mick's Team went out to rescue him.
Mick had started yesterday's stage at 4:30 GMT for the longest day's racing of the Rally so he had been out of Team contact for more than 30 hours.
In the early hours of the morning, the Dakar Rally organisers gave Mick a start time for today's stage of 8:30am but Mick and the Team were unable to make it.
It is confirmed that this is the end of Mick's Dakar Rally for 2007.
Sharon Extance, Mick's wife said a few moments ago: “We are all so relieved. I am absolutely gutted for him and the Team and I just want to speak to him as I know he will be completely devastated in not finishing. The Dakar is quite simply, his passion, his whole life. I would like to thank everyone at Optoma for all their support and we will be back next year; I won't be able to keep him from the race he loves so much, it is in his blood and he has my complete backing.”
[Posted 11.01.07]
Mick Extance Missing in the desert over night.
Optoma Loans Honda Dakar rider, Mick Extance is still missing in the desert after spending last night out alone in freezing temperatures. The 42 year old from Spondon near Derby was 80km from the end of yesterday's stage when officials lost him on their Race Tracking device.
The weather during yesterday's stage was uncharacteristically wet and gusty. Unconfirmed reports say that the engine of Mick's Honda CRF450X had blown up around lunchtime due to mud getting in the engine but that Mick was safe.
On realising Mick had not completed the stage, his Team members made efforts to contact him which failed. As darkness fell last night, a rescue mission with a replacement engine set out into the desert to try and find him. Other competitor's eye witness reports confirmed they had seen Mick safe so the Team had a rough idea where to look for him but the lack of light and any permanent tracks caused huge difficulties.
In the early hours of the morning, the Dakar Rally organisers gave Mick a start time for today's stage of 8:30am but Mick and the Team were unable to make it. It would appear that this is the end of Mick's Dakar for 2007.
At this time, Mick still has not been found by the Team. Mick's wife Sharon said: “I didn't sleep much last night. Mick is strong willed and knowing him he has pushed his bike to a nearby village and asked a local to help him fix his engine! I am hoping we will hear from him very soon. A night in the desert wouldn't have bothered him, he is a tough character. He will just be gutted that all his hard work and training has ended like this and he didn't finish his beloved Dakar. I just want him home safely. We believe that the might be on the sweeper truck this morning.”
Andrew Seymour, Chief Executive of Optoma Loans said: 'We are all gutted for Mick, but as long as he is safe that is the main thing. Mick and the rest of the Team will be kicking themselves; the Dakar Rally means everything to them. Roll on 2008!'
[Posted 11.01.07]
Stage 5:
Wednesday 10.01.07 - from Ouarzazate to Tan Tan - total 768 km
Mick made the journey in good time, but received another penalty for speeding over 1km.
Sharon, Mick's wife says “He is really angry as he has maintained a good position throughout, hopefully he will sort something out with an appeal to the organisers but judging from past encounters I wouldn't hold your breath.
He is very happy with his riding and said he spent most of the day riding alone he beginning to get comfortable with some aspects of navigation although still admits this is his weak spot.”
MICK EXTANCE (UNITED KINGDOM) No.29 : “It is a route where I am very happy at this stage. There are always many rocks, but I like that. It is like my home region. There is equally less dust and so it is easier to overtake the other riders.” Overall in the 450CC classification Mick is 14th with a total time of 17h37'24
He is 38th position of the whole race.
[Posted 10.01.07]
Stage 4:
Tuesday 09.01.07 - from Er Rachidia to Ouarzazate - total 679 km
Ian, Mick's mechanic “All is well and as today is non assistance day and also no plane box to work from team orders were to go steady and nurse the bike through the stage Mick will not receive assistance until tomorrow evening, he only has the tools he has on him to do any repairs. Mick is settling down into the rally after a few tense days he is trying to do well and this makes him cross with himself. There have been a lot of casualties in today's stage just glad he has made it to the end.”
Overall in the 450CC classification Mick is 15th with a total time of 6h39'22.
He is in 39th position of the whole race.
[Posted 09.01.07]
Mick Extance, Muc-Off's supported rider has now set on his way to complete the 2007 Dakar Rally. You can keep up to date with his progress here daily.
You can also track Mick live on www.dakar.com
His Journey so far...
Stage 1:
Saturday 06.01.07 - from Lisboa to Portimao total 464km
The first stage is over. Mick said “it was one of the hardest European stages he has ridden and was quite happy with his final position”. Mick came 16th out of all the 400cc riders.
Stage 2:
Sunday 07.01.07 - from Portimao to Malaga total 545km
Mick had a good start but was pulled over, along with others, for speeding of all things. He was recorded at 90km/h in a 50km/h limited area.
Mick's Overall position at the moment is 36th.
Stage 3:
Monday 08.01.07 - from Nador to Er Rachidia total 649 km
After a short night spent on the boat from Spain, bound for Morocco, the competitors set out into the first African special stage between Nador and Er Rachidia on a cold but sunny morning.
At the end of day three, Extance lies in 35th place in the overall standings.
Mick commented “It is good to find the real Dakar tracks, but it was dangerous today, so, I rode cautiously. It's a long way to Dakar and it's important to maintain my concentration and keep the bike in order.”
