The first day is known as the Prologue. It is basically a spectator day where competitors race around a ±2km track once with the times determining the starting order for the following day, when the race really starts at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

In the past the track used in the prologue has been specially constructed under the watchful eye of the Burj Al Arab. However, due to recent construction on the site the prologue has been moved to the Jebel Ali Motocross track. This is a very technically demanding track – tough for bikes, seemingly impossible for cars and absolutely no place for a truck.

The UAE CC Team met at Gecko Motorcycles and then headed with the Gecko Honda Team to the UAE Desert Challenge Headquarters at the Dubai International Marine Club for the Competitors Briefing.
The official Competitors Briefing was held at midday. Here we received a rundown on the Prologue schedule as well as the 2008 UAE Desert Challenge as a whole. We were also issued our Road Books for the first special stage along with the modification sheet.

Road Book: The road book is a long roll of paper that is effectively a list of instructions to enable the rider to complete the special stage. The road book is issued along with a sheet of modifications that is based on a reconnaissance carried out in the last 24-48 hrs by a car that has driven the entire route. These modifications need to be added to the road book before loading it into the road book holder on the bike.

It was then back to Gecko for some last minute checks before heading off for the Prologue.

We with the Gecko Honda team on the bikes for the 28km ride out to the Jebel Ali Motocross track. You can feel the nervous anticipation in the air. The guys have all made it to the start line – over coming injuries along the way.
The Jebel Ali Motocross Track is a technically demanding track with deep ruts in all corners, several jumps, technical sections and some 180° turns. Our nerves were not helped by the track having been redesigned in the last month. The good news is we were some of the first bikes on the track and importantly the bikes went before the cars and trucks. Any other way would have simply resulted in carnage.

The objective here was simple – get around in one piece and try not to injure yourself or damage the bike. It’s a long race and starting positions are not critical in our bid to complete the 2008 UAE Desert Challenge. The track was already torn up from an event held the previous week and the deep ruts that build up in all the tight corners make things tricky for even the experienced competitors in the field to get around.

The great news is that all the guys made it around in one piece with no injuries. Jonathan dropped his bike twice during his run but recovered quickly on both occasions.

Our starting positions are as follows –

Name / Time / Starting Position
Sean Curnow / 02:55:84 / 55
Steve You / 03:03:87 / 61
Paul Anselmo / 03:10:34 / 65
Jonathan Quan / 03:43:24 / 71

This sets things up nicely for the guys as we will be attempting to ride the race in pairs with Steve and Paul riding together and myself and Jonathan riding together.

The 34 km ride back from the Jebel Ali Motocross track back to Gecko Motorcycles was eventful. Steve suffered a rear tire puncture from a piece of metal on the road. It means that we will have to change out his rear wheel first thing in the morning before the ceremonial start at Emirates Palace.

We met back at my place and marked up our Road Books (with some tips from the seasoned professionals at Gecko) paying specific attention to the various hazard marked out for the next day’s riding. We then loaded the Road books into the bikes.

Then the team headed off some final packing and an early night’s sleep with the prospect of a 4:30am start and the start of the real 2008 Desert Challenge looming large.

Speak to you tomorrow!!