Dakar rally moves to Saudi

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

https://uk.yahoo.com/sports/news/dakar- ... 14846.html


Will women be allowed to ride/drive?

No celebratory beers on the finish line, or will there be a celebratory beheading of a homosexual instead?

Should be a bundle of laughs (not).

[zimtim]

That is a real shame, there was talk of it moving to South Africa, that would of been a much better option IMHO. The terrain available with the bush and Namibia desert would of been a fantastic spectacle.
https://www.rideapart.com/articles/3057 ... frica/amp/
A few of us were hoping to get together and make a decent trip following the rally and taking in some sights in and around Southern Africa

[herman]

The South American countries are no longer willing to pay what ASO wants to host the event , Saudi on the other hand …...

[boboneleg]

https://uk.yahoo.com/sports/news/dakar- ... 14846.html


Will women be allowed to ride/drive?

No celebratory beers on the finish line, or will there be a celebratory beheading of a homosexual instead?

Should be a bundle of laughs (not).

Nice one Richard, that made me chuckle. On a more serious note I doubt I'd searching hard for coverage if it's going to be run there

[PaulinBont]

Well after all, if the Arabs can buy the World Cup ............£££££££££££

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

I don't want to come over all PC about this, but the original 'Spirit of the Dakar' was inclusive, with women competing with men from the start.

It's a travesty to confine it to one of the world's most regressive (yet richest) countries.

Still, as said above...if we are going to see teams attempting to play the football world cup in the furnace like temperatures of Qatar...well, anything's possible!


What time's the stoning?

[petecam]

I don't want to come over all PC about this, but the original 'Spirit of the Dakar' was inclusive, with women competing with men from the start.

Richard I dont think you are being PC, equal rights regardless of your gender, race or sexuality should not even a topic of discussion in this day and age. Unfortunaly it seems many parts of the world are still in the dark ages.

I have a collegue in the broadcast business who is gay. Whenever he works in some of the more strict middle eastern countries he carries a picture of a woman and child on his phone which he presents as his family if asked, with a fake back story. Its very sad he feels the need to do this.

[PaulinBont]

"Are there any women present?"
No no no no. I wish I could copy the 'Life of Brian' link

[garyboy]

look !!!
.. .. if any of you guys have got any concerns about Saudi
.. just pop along to your nearest friendly Saudi Embassy

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

Yes, I hope Carlton Kirby minds what he says about the host nation on EuroSport, or he may get chopped up for his trouble.