Smooth start for the Dakar

The Dakar revives the tradition of the first editions, which systematically started on January 1st, Place de la Concorde in Paris. This time, the competitors will salute the obelisk on July 9 Avenue in Buenos Aires, before taking the road to Victoria, which they will join in connection.

Published on 01/01/2011 à 15:36

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The chronos will remain stored in their cases for this day of making contact with the Argentine public. But after this first part of the road, we are already sleeping in bivouac.

Before this long-awaited departure, the technical checks were the scene of a real beauty contest with the entry of Team X-Raid. The Mini Countryman entrusted to Guerlain Chicherit, the team's 2011 surprise, triggered bursts of flashes from professional and amateur photographers. This first victory in the applause meter obviously does not satisfy the mountaineer, who will do everything to stay in contact with his teammate Stéphane Peterhansel. The BMW

“I want to keep my title,” says bluntly Carlos Sainz. “With Lucas Cruz we form a good association. We won every race we entered. I can't wait to start this Dakar. I want to keep my title. I know the competition will be aggressive, but that's normal and it's within its role. As always, I don't think about anything other than my race, doing my job well. And as usual I will run at my own pace, at my own pace. »

But Sainz's closest rival in 2010, Nasser Al-Attiyah, will do everything to upset him: "I am more and more confident, I really need to win." The VW – BMW duel, Robby Gordon and his brand new fluorescent orange Hummer do not intend to attend as spectators: “I am here to win”, repeats the American over and over again, who completes the list of ambitious people.

A total of 140 crews successfully passed the “checks” exam. No one can bet with certainty on the rank he will occupy on January 16.

The 67 trucks entered are destined for a chase behind the Kamaz. But the level of pressure that De Rooy and Loprais intend to put on them also promises repeated twists and turns.