Riders from around the world completed Stage One of the 2013 Dakar rally on Saturday with a short timed special of just 13 km in a loop around Pisco, Peru after completing the 250 km liaison rider along the coast for the official start in the capital of Lima.
The top 32 riders were all within a minute of the leader Chaleco Lopez of Chile riding a KTM with Cyril Despres, KTM‰Ûªs title defender in fifth place just 13 seconds behind.
All eight Australian riders made it through the opening day, with Honda mounted Todd Smith leading our national charge in 34th position just one minute and five seconds away from the race leader.
Honda mounted Paul Smith, Australia's sole Quad entry also made a great start to the 2013 event, and sits in 13th place after the short opening stage.
Riders will hit trail for stage two overnight Australian time, starting with a 85km transport before setting off for a 242km stage being held in Pisco, Peru.
2013 Dakar Rally Stage One and Overall Top 20
1. LOPEZ CONTARDO (CHL) KTM
2. VERHOEVEN (NLD) YAMAHA
3. QUINTANILLA (CHL) HONDA
4. CABRERA (CHL) KAWASAKI
5. DESPRES (FRA) KTM
6. CASTEU (FRA) YAMAHA
7. FARIA (PRT) KTM
8. PIZZOLITO (ARG) HONDA
9. ULLEVALSETER (NOR) KTM
10. BARREDA BORT (ESP) HUSQVARNA
11. BOTTURI (ITA) HUSQVARNA
12. PRZYGONSKI (POL) KTM
13. GONÌàALVES (PRT) HUSQVARNA
14. GOUET (CHL) HONDA
15. VAN NIEKERK (ZAF) KTM
16. SVITKO (SVK) KTM
17. RODRIGUEZ (CHL) HONDA
18. KNUIMAN (NLD) KTM
19. DUCLOS (FRA) SHERCO
20. METGE (FRA) YAMAHA
Australian's
34. Todd Smith Honda
45. Matt Fish Yamaha
47. Ben Grabham KTM
50. Troy O'Connor KTM
59. Warren Strange Honda
60. Simon Pavey Husqvarna
64. Rod Faggotter Yamaha
172. Andrew Scott Husqvarna
ATV Stage one and Overall top 10
1. FLORES SEMINARIO (PER) YAMAHA
2. HUSSEINI (NLD) HONDA
3. PATRONELLI (ARG) YAMAHA
4. CASALE (CHL) YAMAHA
5. KOOLEN (NLD) HONDA
6. MAFFEI (ARG) YAMAHA
7. HERNANDEZ (PER) HONDA
8. SONIK (POL) YAMAHA
9. PALMA (CHL) CAN-AM
10. GONZALEZ (ARG) YAMAHA
13 SMITH (AUS) HONDA
Top Image: Australian Ben Grabham sits 47th after the opening stage of the 2013 Dakar Rally
Credit: M.Maragni
