Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Roma Does Dakar D epsol KTM 's Nani Roma cruised to the l'rinish of the final stage of the Dakar Rally on January 18 in 17th place be cause that's all he had to do to become the first Spaniard in the 26-year history of the race to earn the overall victory. Roma e nded up 12 minutes and 38 sec onds ahead of Gauloises KTM 's Richard Sainct in the overall standings, with Sainct com ing home 47th in the final stage of the treacherous race. The Frenchman had suf- fered an arm injury early in the rally but fought on to make this year's event a mem orable two-man battle. Third place overall went to today's stage w inner, Cyril Despres, the Gauloises KTM rider winning th ree stages over the course of the rally to prove that he will be one of the main contenders in "You have to stay calm even in the hardest moments." - Nani Roma Larry Roeseler (right) poses with Ramo. Roeseler ended up an impressive 12th overall in his first-ever Dakar Rally, future years. Alfie Co x and top privatee r Pal-Andes Ullevalseter rounded out the top flveoverall. Red Bull KTM's Larry Roeseler saved his best for last, the Californian finishing fifth in the final stage. That put Roeseler an impressive 12th overall in what was his first-ever Dakar Rally. Roese ler ended up six hours , seven minute s and S8 seconds behind Roma after 6820 miles of racing in varying cond itions. Roeseler's teammate Paul Krause fin- Nani Ramo became the first Spaniard ever to win the Dakar Rally. ished 23rd in the final stage and 18th ove rall. The hardest part of the race for Roma was stage 13, according to the man himself. Demuth Crashes Out! "The day almost everything happ ened," Roma said in a release from his team. "It was the 13th stage between Bamako and Ayoun el Atrous, and it became really stressing. I had probl ems with the chain. I fell, the alarm light of the temperature went on, and the route was very complicated." And the difference between the Roma of years past and the Roma who won this year 's rally "I'm olde r. With age and experience ... we learn a lot more, and above all, we know when to be patient and calm. Y have to ou stay calm even in the hardes t moments." Organ .Donors And He lmets AMA Arenacross Champion Josh Dem uth lost ail hope of defe nding his title when he cras hed at the Baltimore , Maryland, round on January 17 and suffered a com pound fracture of his lower left leg and ankle. Demuth was working his way th roug h the pack in Saturday's 250cc main event w he n he clipped a tuff block that sent him sideways over the cata pult jump . He had to throw the According to the AMA, the propose d law in California that coul d have fo rced some motorcyclists to become o rgan donors against the ir wishes has been amended, and will be rec onsidered w ithout the organ-donation provisio ns. The amended Asse mbly Bill 1200 proposes allowing adults IB and olde r to decide w het her to wear a helmet w hen riding a motorcycle . The organ -donation provisions, which had outraged the AMA and motorcyclists nat ionw ide , stated that those w ho chose not to we ar a helmet are "deem ed to have consented to the making of an anatomi- cal gift under this act ." The AMAworked directly w ith Assem blyman John Longville (D-San Be rnardino) to bike away in the air, and he landed on the downside of the landing feet first. Demuth's injuries put Darcy Lange a iittle closer to his first Arenacross C hampionship , as the Canadian rode well all weekend at the I st Mariner Arena . never placing worse than third whi le picking up two crucial wins. O n Friday, Shogun Y amaha's Tommy Hofmaster topped Team Empire's John Dowd and Richmond Kawasaki's Lange in the 125cc class. In the 250cc class, Demuth took the victory over Lange and Dowd. On Saturday night, Lange topped Demut h and Hofmaste r in the I25cc class befor e w inning the 250cc final over Hofmaste r and Dowd. Demuth still leads the points standings, but his season-ending injury makes the title chase a battle among Hofmaster, Lange and Dowd. Demuth has 429 points to Lange's 404. Hofmaster sits third w ith 375, and Dowd is fourth with 3 14 points . Lange batt led with Demuth all weekend and was disappoi nted to see the champ go remove all of the organ-donat ion provisions from AB-1200, which was granted re consideratio n and has been refer red again to the Assemb ly Transportation Committ ee. . "The AMA applauds Asse m blyman Longville for his support of voluntary helmet use and for responding to our concerns about co mpu lsory organ donation ," said AMA dow n. Western states representative N ick Haris. "W e encourage California motorcyclists to "I hate to see that happe n to any rider," Lange said fro m the pod ium. "I wish Josh the best. 1hope he gets well soon ." Stacy Sm ith support the amen ded AB-1200." To express support for the bill via e- mail, go to www.AMADirectlink.com and click on "State, " under "Rights."

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