– What do you think about the Dakar 2004 route? Do you think that it is going to be as hard as they say? Is this route going to be an advantage for you or not at all?
The fact of this years route being as hard as it seems fits us well. Its a factor of balance between teams with a large budget and modest people. We like it and were looking forward to it and from what weve been able to see its going to be highly demanding. There is even a stage in Mauritania that last year was divided into two and this year will be made in a single stage. It will be really demanding.
– This is going to be your fourteenth Dakar. After your previous experiences, what do you think is the secret to fight for the victory this year?
Experience has taught us that dosing your power is the key to success. You have to reach the last days with the mechanical parts in good shape. The stages in Mauritania will be very complicated and well only be able to pass them if we reach them with a fresh and problem-free truck. We are going to try to dose ourselves as much as possible for the last days. Thats the only secret.
– Who do you consider as the main rivals this year in the fight for the victory?
“All participants are rivals and we have to fight against everybody in our class. Obviously there are teams such as Daf and Tatra who have a lot of means and have to be in the lead. Our hope and our aim is to let them fight hard between them. We can take a clear advantage out of their fight.
– How do you reach the Dakar with regard to preparation?
We are well prepared. This is our third Dakar with the same truck and we have found a very good set-up. The mechanical set works perfectly well but we have improved certain aspects. A bit more power in the engine, some setting changes in the suspension and in the anchorage of the cabin as well. The tests weve made have been very positive and were very optimistic.
– Which has been your best moment at the Paris-Dakar? And the worst?
The best moment was two years ago with the victory in our class and the sixth overall position. It was a very hard Dakar but we had the pleasure to be fighting against the best. The worst moment was also two years ago, when we broke a bridge in an accident and we were just about to give up. We were also held up on the route in that edition. Fortunately everything ended up well.
– What impressed you most of Africa and the Dakar the first time you went there?
With no doubt the immensity of the desert but also the different ways of life you find in the most unexpected places and the mixture of cultures, which is really surprising. No matter how much you think to know about Africa, it has always unexpected profiles.
– Is the Dakar mentally or physically harder?
Mentally, with no doubt. Drivers must be physically fit but mental strength is the most important. You may be very tired but if the head gives the order to continue, you get everywhere. When there arent enough muscles, there must be enough will.
