ROCKET RIDES HIGH

DIRT ACTION: First up, can you explain the difference between last year’s Dakar program for you and this year?

ROD FAGGOTTER: So the bikes are fairly similar, but obviously I wasn’t on a factory bike. But they’re continually working on stuff to make the bike better, so my one was a little down on horsepower and top speed. Other than that it was basically the same, and then I guess the biggest difference then was the fact that I had to pull my own program together and support money, whereas previously it was all laid on.

Those two things aside, I enjoyed myself the most I have of any Dakar I’ve done because I’ve got enough experience now and I know what to expect. And sort of being my own boss again, I could just do what I wanted, when I wanted. Things like going to bed and having dinner when I want. There’s no team meetings, no team orders. In many ways you’re on your own more, but some days it’s not a bad thing. You just do your own program, do your own thing. Definitely more rewarding from that aspect.

How did the change in the deal with Yamaha come about? From what I’ve heard in the past, your role in the factory team was a little bit different; it wasn’t so much about the best result for you, is that right?

Yeah, so I never worried about my results. It’s about the top-end riders which, funnily enough, in 2018 none of them finished.

I’ll be honest, I’m not a top-five guy. I just don’t have the time and I’m not at the right end of the age bracket of the athletes to be doing that. I’m giving away 10 to 15 years to most of the younger guns. So, you know, they want guys that are capable of running top five and I understand that. I had three years with the team and I’ve still got a great relationship with them but things move on, it’s