For its last stage, the Dakar Tour stopped off in Barcelona. The Spanish riders and drivers are teeming with energy and plans to once again become one of the major powers on the event.
Spain has a special place in the history of the Dakar, having produced winners of the rally such as Joan “Nani” Roma, Marc Coma and Carlos Sainz, but also for having had a long-standing impact on the race through the number of its representatives, who can be found at all the levels in the standings. In light of the attendance and excitement observed for the last presentation on the Dakar Tour, the Spanish clan seems determined to regain its place in the forthcoming years. This is the impression felt by Etienne Lavigne, delighted with his stay in the Catalan capital, which hosted the start of the 2005 edition: “I hadn’t been back to Spain for several years, and I’m touched to see that the riders and drivers are still motivated and that their plans are both coherent and full of enthusiasm. I’ve got the feeling that they have not had their final word, far from it!” What’s more, next January, it seems that the pretenders for the title will be plentiful from Spain, especially in the bike category. Although Marc Coma was not able to make the journey to Barcelona, he intends to make his return to the Dakar in Rosario in January. A number of his countrymen will be determined to challenge him for the role of national flag-bearer, in particular Joan Barreda and Juan Pedrero, who yesterday were wearing sponsor-free outfits, giving them an air of freedom… The situation in the discipline could well see some profound changes! In the car category, few commitments to race have yet been confirmed, but it seems certain that Nani Roma, the current leader of the all-terrain world championships, will be taking his chances behind the wheel of an X-Raid mini. Nobody knows whether Carlos Sainz will reacquaint himself with the buggy experience as part of the Qatar Red Bull team. However, Lucas Cruz, Nasser Al Attiyah’s co-pilot at the start of the year, did not refrain from letting the media and guests present know about the ambitions of his boss and in-car companion: a handful of photos of the new car in preparation were swiftly glimpsed and it is possible that the team lines up with three or four models! Watch this space…
