The End of the Raid Gauloises
Rob / 07.07.2003
The news was in a letter signed by Raid Gauloises Race Director Alain Gaimard and
sent to teams due to compete in the second X-adventure Raid Series event of 2004 in France/Italy next weekend. Teams had originally entered the series of 5 races trying to achieve a ranking in the top 22, which would win them a paid-for entry into the following year’s Raid Gauloises in Peru. That offer has now been withdrawn and replaced with $100,000 prize fund for the series, split between the top 10 teams. (Teams who have already entered future races, or raced in Scotland, with the aim of getting to the Raid Gauloises have been offered a refund.)
The news naturally comes as a shock to teams who have planned their racing year around the series with the aim of competing in Peru in one of the world’s greatest races. Nick Gracie of Team Thomas Cook said, \"I was stunned and it was a bit hard to take in. There isn’t going to be another Raid Gauloises! I had a real sinking feeling as that’s why we were taking part in the series. It’s a race I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m gutted that now I never will. The team had even discussed planning and training for Peru. I don’t know what we’ll do now about the rest of the series races as we’ve not had a chance to discuss it. We’ll still go to France next weekend though as everything is arranged and our tickets are bought and paid for. Maybe we’ll find out more there.\"
It’s an abrupt change, after only one race in the 2003 series and when the dates/venues for the Raid Gauloises in both 2004 and 2005 (Ethiopia) had already been announced. As yet there is no official announcement, via press release or on the Raid Gauloises or X-adventure Series web sites and the letter does not refer to the death of Dominique Robert in Kyrgyzstan less than a month ago. However, coming so soon afterwards it would seem the changes must be a reaction to that tragic accident, by the organisers, sponsors and perhaps the host countries of the next races.
SleepMonsters
