Guerlain Chicherit: “Every day is a new challenge”

The fifth stage of the Dakar 2022 saw the victory of South African Henk Lategan and his co-driver Brett Cummings on Toyota. Guerlain Chicherit took fifth place, almost three minutes behind the day's winners despite his spectacular roll the day before. The Frenchman from GCK Motorsport was able to start this new day thanks to the hard work of his mechanics. “The poor people worked all night because I brought the car back in a bad state, reacted the French pilot on arrival. It was not certain that we would leave again. They really gave it their all, I had to drive well and bring the car back in good position and in one piece today. Obviously, the first instinct upon arrival is to go and thank them. They did an amazing job finishing three minutes before they could get in the car. »

“The problem is that there are always small consequences. We lost the power steering for example following yesterday's shock, He added. We also did 250 kilometers with damaged rear shock absorbers. » Despite the mechanical consequences of the day before, the Guerlain Chicherit – Alex Winocq duo was able to find their way during the 560 kilometers on the program. “It was quite a piece, admits the pilot. Alex really assured us, there were several places where we could go wrong. We gardened two or three times, a bit like everyone else I imagine. We lost a little time each time, but not much. It's frustrating to retrace your steps, but we lose less by doing so than by trying to fall back further. »

A satisfactory fifth place for the native of Tignes, who expects new adventures in the Saudi desert this Friday: “We are in the position that we were looking for from the beginning, that is to say to start in the top 10 in order to have an open track. Tomorrow we will try to ride correctly. Every day is different. We can always do better on an ideal day, but no one has an ideal day on the Dakar. Everyone has problems. Every day is a new challenge. » The sixth stage consists of 620 kilometers to cover with a start and finish in Riyadh.

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UPDATE: Chicherit-Winocq received a two-minute penalty and were demoted to eighth place.