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David Sánchez de Castro
Jueves, 2 de enero 2025, 18:21
Eating grapes while watching the clock at Madrid's Puerta del Sol, getting overwhelmed in city centres to see the Christmas lights, family feasts, and receiving gifts on Epiphany. These are traditions that occur every December and January, just as Carlos Sainz's name reappears in headlines, not alongside Formula 1, but with the Dakar.
Once again, the Matador resumes his status as a driver, not just a driver's father, embarking on yet another adventure in the world's toughest rally. The Saudi Dakar kicks off this Friday in Bisha, a southwestern city turned into a sports fan's playground by the Saudis. Until the 17th, it will host another battle among the desert's old foxes, with Sainz as the most seasoned due to Stéphane Peterhansel's absence, who, for the first time in four decades, will not compete. The legendary French driver has returned to a Yamaha bike to race in the Africa Eco Race, a throwback to the classic Dakar.
Without Peterhansel, the usual favourites in the car category remain. Reigning champion Carlos Sainz joins Ford with the challenge of winning the Dakar with a fifth brand, an unprecedented feat in rally history. The Raptor T1+, which he helped perfect, is a top contender, both in his vehicle and that of Nani Roma, who will team up with Sainz for the first time; Mattias Ekstrom, who, like the Madrid native, left Audi for the American brand; and Mitch Guthrie, venturing into the top four-wheel category for the first time.
Sainz is somewhat favoured against his rivals, though he is well aware that Nasser Al-Attiyah will be his main adversary... among others. Dacia, with the Sandrider, arrives as a team that could potentially dominate the Dakar. Not only because the Qatari prince leads the team, but also due to other drivers like Sebastien Loeb, who has a new co-driver, Fabian Lurquin, replacing his long-time partner Daniel Elena, and Spain's Cristina Gutiérrez, who, after winning the Challenger category in 2024, aims to compete with the top contenders.
Both Dacia and Ford debut new cars in this Dakar, putting Toyota back in the spotlight. It's no coincidence that Dakar champions like Toby Price and Sam Sunderland have switched from bikes to cars to drive one of Overdrive's Hilux vehicles, where another potential winner, local Yazeed Al Rahji, will also compete. The Mini X-Raid team, a top preparer in this competition, should not be overlooked, with drivers like Guerlain Chicherit and the veteran Giniel de Villiers, who set a record for completed Dakar participations in 2024.
Against all these competitors, Sainz, at nearly 63, remains a formidable opponent. This Dakar will be special for those who have followed the Matador since his rally days, as he reunites with his former boss from the 90s and early 2000s, Malcolm Wilson. The Raptor, with its naturally aspirated engine, is theoretically more powerful than its rivals, prompting the FIA to adjust regulations for more balance. As in past editions, there will be days when time revisions will necessitate changes in reports and rankings at the end of the day.
The motorcycle category presents a complex scenario. With KTM, the historical dominator, facing bankruptcy and nearly disappearing, Price and Sunderland moving to cars, and uncertainties surrounding teams like Honda, there are many contenders. Among the Spaniards, Tosha Schareina stands out, coming off a spectacular 2024 and riding a Honda 450 identical to the reigning champion Ricky Brabec's. Many eyes will also be on Lorenzo Santolino, the Sherco soldier hungry for revenge after a mechanical failure, and the rookie Edgar Canet, signed by KTM at just 19, with Jordi Viladoms as his mentor.
Two weeks of suffering lie ahead, with plenty of sand (including the classic Empty Quarter), strategies, and adventure for a Dakar that, as every edition, kicks off the motorsport year.
The first images of the 2025 Dakar have already hinted at the first adversary of the initial days: the wind. In the Bisha bivouac, southwest of Saudi Arabia and the centre of the early stages, tents had to be reinforced due to a sandstorm that covered the temporary setup in dust. In fact, technical and administrative checks had to be relocated for shelter.
This adds an extra element to days that promise to be hellish. As David Castera, the Dakar director, warned at the presentation: it will be pure endurance. It's no coincidence that the new 48-hour chrono, introduced in 2024, is set for the second stage. When the 'gong' sounds at 5:00 PM on Sunday, all competitors must stop at one of the six designated rest points and resume on Monday. Those who survive the first four days around Bisha will face the marathon stage's great challenge the following day.
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