Rallyraidio

"Great day! Fun on the bike, the hill was AWESOME! Watching my bike float away in the river was not..." Listen in to hear Ned's epic stories from stage 9, including his underwater incident, close call with a mine, and Johnny Campbell's comments on Robby Gordon. Goooooo! Ned!

Ned calls us after what would turn out to be a very controversial stage for the frontrunners. He had his own challenges, including a stage that was very fast and admittedly not his most comfortable zone. A followup call reveals that his steering damper had become disengaged, a sketchy prospect when running 120kph through fesh fesh embedded with hidden rocks!  "This isn't racing, Ned says, it's praying!"  Well-done to bring it home safely, Ned.

Another great 20 minute conversation with Ned, we catch him in the bivouac on the rest day.

Photocredit: webventure.br Team FrontRowGB rider and front running Brit, Stan Watt, rings in at the rest day to update us on his rally so far. For a team built with ambitious goals, it hasn't all gone perfectly to date. But he's looking forward to taking advantage of the grueling second half to move further up the order.

Observers of the stage will have noted that Ned was off pace today. There's a very good (actually, two very good) reason(s) for that. Tune in to hear how Ned MacGuyvered his way through the stage, and lived to Dakar another day.

After stage six was cancelled, ostensibly due to snow on the route, Ned arrives in Chile after the liaison transit. While he hangs out waiting for  the service truck to arrive, we catch up on many topics including his reaction to the cancellation, how the bike is holding up so far, and if his outlook or approach has changed any heading in to the middle of the rally.

Fiambala has a legendary, and brutal, reputation on the Dakar. Tune in to hear how Ned's day went on this year's weather-shortened edition. Fiamba

After one of the most grueling starts to a Dakar in recent memory, Ned Suesse fills us in on his experience through stage 4, including his first encounter with the cars.  Go, Ned, Go!!! AFt

Ned calls in after stage 3, a stage that other riders have said is "the most technical they've seen on a rally". Big news for the front runners today, while Ned keeps riding his ride. Photo Courtesy CVestal (during training) P

Had a great 20 minute conversation with Ned from the Bivouac tonight. Catch up with all the details from his rally thus far, with typical Ned insight. Grab a beer and pull up a chair.

Ned calls in after a monster transit (nearly 700km in total) following his first competitive Dakar stage. Ever cerebral, he listened to a book on tape and watched other riders squirm while his Renazco saddle cushioned his tush in comfort.  Hopefully Ned is getting his beauty sleep tonight, and keeping the "snowball small", as Charlie would say. Fun fun.

Ned calls in after the ceremonial start, including the story of his monster wheelie down the ramp. Ned dials us in on what it feels like to be on the cusp of an event like the Dakar. Go Ned, Go!

Part 2 of Ned's call from the eve of the rally.

Ned calls in on the eve of the rally with an update. Good luck, Ned! We're all pulling for you! Part 1 of 2.

Ned calls in today shortly after the finish of the rally, as teams make the mad dash to get gear packed for the return trip. People will be heading to the site of last week's bombing in a show of solidarity and humanity.

Ned calls in after the 7th stage. "Crossed a pass in the atlas today, very rocky. Tank is seeping but rideable. Really enjoyed the tracks, tomorrow is mostly paved. Spending tonight at a movie studio, many strange props all around."

Ned calls in after an eventful day on the rally, which included a sandstorm and splitting fuel tank out on the piste.  Way to bring it in, Ned! Close

Ned Suesse calls in mid way through the rally.

Jenny Morgan is now on her return journey to the UK, and calls from Sao Paulo sounding much better than the last time we heard from her. Let's hope she's as fresh when she lands back home. Fly safe, Jenny!  

Craig Bounds rings in from the hospital in Chile. Get well soon, Craig!