For the third year in a row, fans from around the world have followed Luis Belaustegui as he's attempted the Dakar on a 2-stroke KTM 150. Last year he came agonizingly close before a crash and injury ruled him out a stage from the end. This year, he had to overcome one challenge after the next in order to make it. When you hear his attitude, I think it will be clear why he was able to triumph.

We chat with mechanic and team manager Scott Spears, followed by Luis, as they are on a layover on their flight home from Chile.  Thanks for taking the time to speak with us guys, and congratulations on a job well done!!

Fresh off the podium, we catch up with Lyndon for a wrap-up interview for his 2013 Dakar effort. Many of you have asked to hear from Lyndon's dad, Robin, who served as his mechanic for the race, and I'm happy to say that Robin joined us for this call! Grab your favorite beverage and sit back for the final details and some reflection on the past fortnight (indeed, the past year). Cheers!

Preempting the throngs of "official" media, Lyndon first calls in to RallyRAIDio from the finish line of his first Dakar. A Dakar rookie, but hardly a novice, Lyndon's effort this year is a textbook lesson on how to bring it home. CONGRATS, Lyndon!!!

An upbeat Lyndon calls in on the Penultimate day of the rally. After his miraculous (and rally-saving) mechanical repair yesterday, he started well down the field today and had to contend with a lot of dust, passing 40 bikes and quads through the course of the stage. One day to go, and Lyndon knows it's not over until the finishers medal (which is satisfyingly heavy, as Ned Suesse informed us last year) is in his hand. Keep it steady, Lyndon, and thanks for the ride!

It was clear from the timing sheets that something dramatic had happened to Lyndon in the first sector of today's stage, but no one in cyberspace could have imagined how close his rally came to being over. Lesser men would not have been able to repair the damage and bring it home (on pace, no less, once he got going again).  We didn't have an interview planned, but I was able to catch Lyndon on his call in and have a chat -- glad I did!  Go "Inside the Helmet" as Lyndon talks about what was going through his mind both out on the piste, and at the end of the stage.  Brilliant stuff.

Lyndon calls in after the Fiambala stage, which turned out to be of a much different character than those run on previous editions. True to form, however, the stages that appear shortest on the route description prove to be long on challenge. Looking ahead, the rally crosses the high passes back into Chile tomorrow, with three long days to go before the riders can allow themselves to relax.  Keep it steady, Lyndon.

No way to dance around it, Stage 10 was a tough day on the job for Lyndon. Things came unglued in a high speed corner resulting in a high side that banged up both bike and rider alike. Tomorrow is the famed (and oft dreaded) Fiambala stage, so hopefully they'll both be fully recovered. Rest up, Lyndon. We look forward to a happier call tomorrow!

How does it feel to start amongst your heroes in the first 10 on a stage in the Dakar? Pretty magical. Lyndon started 9th from the line in today's stage, ahead of such stalwarts as Cyril Despres, Helder Rogrigues, and Chaleco Lopez. Knowing full well that they would catch him on track, he rode his own ride, and was treated to a show out along the way.  Kid in a candy store? You bet! It's a whole different world at the front end of the field. Grab a beer, and enjoy the tale!

Interview with Lyndon Poskitt on the rest day, Listeners' questions answered including whether he thinks a 950 would be up to the task.

Dave from Rally Management Services chats with us from the rest day bivouac for the stories on Kevin Muggleton's abbreviated run, updates on crowd favorite Luis on the 150cc 2 stroke, and what it's like to participate not as a rider, but on the team side of things (a perspective that may be more realistic for many of us).

Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule for us, Dave!

(Dave from RMS at left, Freedom Racing Team photo)

We have a great interactive interview from the bivouac with Lyndon Poskitt following his top 10 finish on stage 8! What's it feel like to have the ride of your life, and come in to find that it landed you in the top 10 on a day that caught out many of the best rally riders in the world? Grab a beer or two, and listen in to find out!  Congrats, Lyndon!!!

Lyndon calls in after the first of two marathon stages (bikes spend the night in their own bivouac, no assistance crews for the duration of two consecutive days). It was a rough day for him, both physically/health, and mechanically on the bike, which luckily can be considered his first setbacks of the rally. It was also an emotional day, as a moto competitor was killed on the liaison to the start of the special. Godspeed, Thomas Bourgin.

Lyndon rings in after the longest stage (in selective miles) of this year's rally.

Stage 5 was billed as a "short" stage, but as Lyndon reports, woe is the competitor who confused distance, with challenge. Put into difficulty on several occasions, his enjoyment of the stage is nevertheless very clear in his voice (as Ned predicted it would be today).  The competitors have a 0430 start tomorrow, compounded by a further two hour loss of sleep due to the time change in Chile. Get some rest, Lyndon, you'll need it for the marathon stage tomorrow!

It's hard to believe it's only been four stages, but they've been some of the toughest opening stages on any edition of the Dakar to date.  After a marathon 700+km day, we catch up with Lyndon Poskitt for an interactive interview, featuring special guest, and Lyndon's dear friend, Ned Suesse (of 2012 RallyRAIDio fame). Grab a beer (or coffee, depending on when you listen to this) and sit back as we catch up on Lyndon's rally, and listen to Ned and Lyndon compare notes on their experiences.

Thanks, Lyndon, and thanks Ned for joining us. It's great to have you back on RallyRAIDio!

Webventure.br photo

On a day that saw many competitors come to grief on the long and challenging stage, it's clear that Lyndon is having a blast and enjoying the ride. Listen in, you'll be grinning ear to ear by the end, too.  Thanks for bringing us along for the ride, Lyndon! Keep it Pyn'd!

Lyndon calls in with the details from Stage 2, a day which saw the first riders put into difficulty on a long, sandy stage.  In a war of attrition, Lyndon rode a sensible ride today. Keep it steady, Lyndon, and thanks for the great call!

First stage is in the books, and Lyndon had a blast on the prologue. He gives us a call before settling in for the night. The "real" Dakar starts tomorrow with a 250km special to test the riders and drivers. Good luck!

We catch up with Lyndon for an interview just after he returns from the riders' briefing on the eve of the race, and get some insight into what's on his mind. Sounds like his head is in the right place! Get some rest tongiht, Lyndon, and enjoy the journey tomorrow!

Photo credit: Kevin Muggleton to Dakar FB

We kick off our 2013 Dakar Rally call-in coverage with an interview with Lyndon Poskitt (aka Pyndon on ADVrider) on the eve of his departure for South America. His prep hasn't gone exactly to plan, with a broken foot sidelining him for a critical portion of the season, but he's cleared to ride and ready to take on the biggest motorsports challenge on the planet... Go, Lyndon!!

Lyndon calls in from the finish of his first FIM rally! It's been an intense ride, different in character from the Dakar, but providing invaluable lessons that will serve him well down the line. Job well done, Lyndon!

Lyndon rings in with an in-depth followup to his earlier call, including insight on his mental approach to the race, and some pearls on roadbook preparation among other topics. Thanks for letting us inside the helmet, Lyndon!

Lyndon calls in after having had a very close call on today's stage. Lucky to be uninjured, he brought the bike home (in surprisingly good time), but the team have work to do tonight. One more stage to go, bring it home safe, Lyndon!

Lyndon rings in on the way to bed down for the night after a shortened day three. The second special of the day (SS6) was cancelled due to wildfires in the area. Big day on tap tomorrow, with just one special but over 180km of racing from the 300+ km day. It took him over 3hrs to do the roadbook for the stage! He's been having problems with his right hand due to bike vibration, hopefully the team can sort a solution overnight.

Sleep well, Lyndon. We'll look forward to hearing from you tomorrow!

Lyndon calls in after the tough second day of the Sardinia rally, having learned a valuable nav lesson (read: learned the hard way) on how he was marking his roadbook. Apart from that, no significant issues and certainly making good on his intent to gain experience in the subtleties of rallye. He's looking forward to tomorrow -- keep it steady, Lyndon!

Check out Lyndon's facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LyndonPoskittRacing and his thread on ADVrider: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=777301 

Lyndon calls in after his first stage of his first FIM rally. Every bit of a challenge, he's seeing his strategy of entering a rally prior to Dakar paying dividends already. Keep it steady, Pyn!

Lyndon calls in after scrutineering and preparing his roadbook at the Sardinia Rally. Ready to go despite a scare in the parking area!

Lyndon calls in after his arrival in Sardinia. Prep has gone well, nothing left now but to get on with it!

Check out Lyndon's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LyndonPoskittRacing and his thread on ADVrider: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=777301 

(Photo credit: benconstanduros.com)

We get an insider's look "behind the curtain" where the ASO produces the video feed for the Dakar Rally with BenConstanduros. If you've ever marveled at the stunning images from the rally, you'll be amazed by the logistics required to get them worldwide from a race day that spans hundreds of kilometers. If you've ever been frustrated by what's been show (or hasn't been shown), insight, too, on that. Thanks, Ben! Hardcore Rallye Tragics, don't miss this one.

You can follow Ben on twitter @BenConsty, or check out his site and blog at http://benconstanduros.com/blog

(Photo of Tim courtesy Ted Johnson)

Ted Johnson chats with us after the Dakar rally, giving us an inside view of the bivouac from the back seat of Rally PanAm's team truck. Even if you don't have the stuff to compete, you can get inside the rally in a way you never dreamed possible by buying in to a team seat. This could be one expensive call in, for the die hard fans listening. You've been warned.