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NEWS
Grabham ready to defend Safari honour
It's been a less than perfect build-up for the three-time Australasian Safari winner, but he's now fit and fully focussed to take on Dakar legend Cyril DespresOff-road motorcycle riding maestro Ben Grabham is confident of coming out all guns blazing when the 2011 Australasian Safari starts in Western Australia on September 22.
He has only been back racing for a month after breaking his hand in the Finke Desert Race in June, which the gritty New South Welshman still won for the third time. Now he’s looking forward to conquering the 4000km Safari course of open, mainly off-road tracks.
“This year’s lead up has been a bit different. The races I’ve been in since I broke my hand have been on super tight courses (in the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship), so I’m looking forward to Safari’s style of racing,” said Grabham.
It’s going to be a fascinating seven days of racing with a host of international talent competing, including three-time Dakar winner, Frenchman Cyril Despres, and some of Australia’s most talented riders.
“Cyril will definitely be a tough contender -- he’s a top rally racer as well as having huge experience in other styles of off-road events as well,” said ‘Grabbo’. “But we won’t really know how the international competitors will perform on Safari until a couple of days in.
“I just have to worry about myself and don’t get caught up in what the other competitors are doing.”
Grabham will again be KTM-mounted for his Safari defence. Other motorcycle top runners will include his team-mate Matthew Fish (505SX-F); Jacob and Todd Smith (Honda CRF450X),; Yamaha WR450F pairing Rod Faggotter and Shane Diener; and Ben Grabham (Husaberg FE570).
On Thursday, September 22, Safari competitors will be at Hillarys Boat Harbour for the ceremonial start from 4:00pm onwards.
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Written byBikesales Staff
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