Lifestyle
10.01.2020
How are Dakar drivers living their first Saudi race ?

The Dakar, a mythical race puts bodies and machines to the test. Sand and stones can put an end to the dreams of victory of the greatest champions. We went through the social networks of three of these extraordinary athletes to give you their impressions and reactions to this first Dakar in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula.
No need to introduce Fernando Alonso, the famous Formula 1 champion, a new adept of the difficult roads of the Dakar! Since the start of the race, he has been giving himself a recap of his day every evening. One might wonder if he doesn’t miss the well-surfaced roads of the Catalan Grand Prix, as he seems to be complaining about the rocks on his way…
Etapa larga y exigente mentalmente. Zonas de muchas rocas y casi trial!! 😅 . A partir de mañana otro desafío, las dunas! A por ellas ✊️
Long and mentally demanding stage. Many rocky areas and almost trial at times !!😅 . More challenges ahead tomorrow, the dunes!! Ready✊️ pic.twitter.com/FqVQB4mzub
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) January 8, 2020
Fortunately, Alonso and his co-driver Marc Coma get along wonderfully and despite the difficulties, they continue to progress and are still in contention for the final victory! Good luck Fernando, we know that champions like you never give up!
Laia Sanz is nearly a legend: this is her 10th Dakar and she is an accomplished athlete for many years. 13 times Women’s Trials World Champion, she has nothing left to prove to anyone… except maybe herself? She calls the Dakar a physical race, and we understand her! It’s an exhausting race for the body and the mind, but Laia remains positive despite difficult moments like after her fall in J2: her sensations are great and everything seems to be getting better!
🇪🇸 🔈
🇬🇧 Today's stage has gone very well – at last! I had a few bad days after my crash, but today I've felt good on the bike and I've had fun riding in a group in places and passing some people. Now the rest day and then to try and continue like this in the 2nd week. #Dakar2020 pic.twitter.com/PEykSZmWj2— Laia Sanz (@LaiaSanz_) January 10, 2020
Toby Price is a pioneer: he is the first non-European to have won the Dakar! Winner in 2017 and 2019, he is the titleholder in the biker category! And this year the race still seems to give him a good feeling: he won the first stage and is currently 3rd in the general standings, so he remains a serious candidate for his own succession! We wish him all the best for the future!
I’m happy to have a consistent day with only a couple of little mistakes, I need to stay focused and stick to my guns, with navigation being so full on my brain is fried and actually makes me feel like I do have some brains up there 😣😂 but in all seriousness, we’re having fun! https://t.co/9jqOTzQkS5
— Toby Price (@tobyprice87) January 8, 2020
À lire aussi
The Dakar opens on a Saudi desert canvas