Dakar 2004. Stage 17

Joan Roma and Repsol win the Dakar 2004
First victory of a Spanish rider in the hardest raid of the world
Joan Roma and Repsol have clinched a deserved victory at the Dakar 2004. The last stage held today at the Dakar beaches did not bring any changes to the overall standings and Roma has been able to step on the podium as the winner, taking the first victory of a Spanish rider in the 26 years of history of the race.The stage, run under splendid weather, allowed the team riders to dip their tyres in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean after 11,000 kilometres racing. Roma’s latest victory has been based on a tactically perfect rally where the rider has not made a single considerable mistake. But in addition to Roma’s class, we cannot forget the extraordinary teamwork made by Isidre Esteve, Marc Coma, Jordi Arcarons and all the members of the Repsol KTM Team.The analysis of the winner is the best summary for this brilliant Dakar: ‘I’ve been fighting for this victory for a lot of time. It had become a personal challenge more than a dream. I’m very happy about how things worked out and especially about the help and the work of Isidre, Marc and all the members of our team. This is a collective job and nothing works without everyone’s co-operation. It’s not only my victory’.Which was the hardest moment of the race? ‘The day almost everything happened. It was the thirteenth stage between Bamako and Ayoun el Atrous and it became really stressing. I had problems with the chain, I fell, the alarm light of the temperature went on and the route was very complicated’.How do you value the work of your teammates? ‘They have helped me a lot. Isidre and Marc have done a splendid job. I started with the ease of knowing that I had people near me that would lend me things and that wanted to let me parts in case of an emergency. I want to thank them very much for their effort’.What is the difference between Nani the winner and the Nani of former years? ‘I’m older. With age and experience we learn a lot more and above all, we know when to be patient and calm. You have to stay calm even in the hardest moments’.Has this been the hardest Dakar you’ve ever taken part in? ‘Yes, absolutely. Even the organisation had to cancel two stages because nobody would have been able to finish. It’s obviously been a very hard race’.And what about those voices saying that Nani is switching to cars? ‘No way. What happened is that Nissan has given out the information saying that I was going to test their car. I like cars a lot and I’m always delighted to test a racing car, but I’m still a motorbike rider and a KTM rider. I think that next year I’ll be racing on a bike’.How do you value the role played by Jordi Arcarons? ‘It’s been very important, especially because of the work done previously. He also helped me a lot during the rally and his contribution has been very valuable. He didn’t win the Dakar as a rider but he just did as a manager and I think that he can be very happy about that’.And now? Now it’s time to make holidays and spend time with my family. I’ll go to the snow with my wife and daughters and then it will be time to prepare the Enduro season, as always’.