Yamaha rider Rod Faggotter leads the Aussie charge at Dakar after nine stages and a handful of gruelling special tests. Faggotter, who sits two points ahead of KTM’s Ben Grabham, lies 16th overall with Grabbo 18th. The rest of the Aussie contingent is also on the limiter with Honda’s Todd Smith finishing fastest of the green and gold battalion in the ninth stage with a 17th, moving himself up to 42nd overall, while Warren Strange is 31st overall and Matt Fish is 126th.