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Welcome to the Dakar Rally 2012 special newssection. To read an article just click on the specific headline below. All articles are visible for several years and under special subdomain [ COPY & CLICK HERE ] or use the SEARCH. |
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 | SA-Dakar 2012 BLOG: Chaleco Lopez - "If I push too hard I could retire early".
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Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez's crash at the Rally of Tunisia in May has forced the Chilean biker to reassess his goals ahead of the 2012 Dakar Rally. Thoughts of a podium finish are put on hold as Chaleco explains he just wants to enjoy the race this time.
From Francisco "Chaleco" Lopez: "After my crash in Tunisia, I spent a whole month in hospital. The only time I moved was when I was transferred between clinics in Tunisia, Italy and Chile.
After I had undergone all my operations, I visited the Clínica Las Condes in Santiago de Chile for three months. As well as all the physiotherapy and kinesiology work, I also got the help of a sports psychologist who helped me recover my confidence.
I remember some dark days in the hospital in Italy when I worried I would never race again. Luckily, I had the support of some fantastically positive people to help me chase away any negative thoughts.
My parents have always given me support and my sister Ana Maria was a great help while I was on the road to recovery. I also had all the guys from my Aprilia team coming around to check up on me. It was funny the things they used to do to recreate a normal sense of life even though I could not leave my hospital bed.
One week after I had finished my course of treatments at the Clínica Las Condes, I travelled to Egypt to race the Pharaons Rally. It was fitting that the Pharaons was my first race back because that is where I won the 450cc World Championship in 2001.
I remember Marc Coma and Hélder Rodrigues were blown away that I had recovered so fast. I told them that I had been working hard so I could once again give them a hard time!
I have been riding motorbikes since I was five years old, bikes are such a big part of my life and I always knew deep down that I had to ride again. Right now I think I’m 85% fully recovered so I know I must have a sensible approach to this Dakar.
If I push too hard there’s a chance I could retire in the early stages. My aim is to go nice and steady, enjoy the race as much as I can and arrive in Lima at the finish line. After the year I had I feel just getting to the start line is a massive victory.
The response from the people back home in Chile when they heard about my accident was incredible. Having the Dakar in Chile in these past years has seen the enthusiasm for our sport grow so much. I’m so happy to once again have the chance to represent my country at the Dakar Rally."
Follow the race of Chile’s homecoming hero on Red Bull’s dedicated Dakar Rally website [ HERE ] or on "Chaleco´s" official website at [ CHALECOLOPEZ.CL ].
2011/12/11 | 17:15 CET | ARTICLE: MR/SY/RED BULL/LOPEZ
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