RALLY DAKAR 2023

Farrés: "I don't remember any Dakar suffering so much pain"

Gerard Farrés has planted in the rest day of the Dakar with options to win(image above). The Catalan is fourth overall in the T4 light vehicle category, just over six minutes behind the leader Rokas Baciuska.

The veteran pilot has carried out this Monday a review of what he experienced together with his co-pilot Diego Ortega in this edition. And, of course, he has also commented on what he expects to happen in the second week of competition.

Wild pace..."We're not holding anything back. We can't. This year's pace is much higher than last year. It's not that I'm saying it. Everyone in each category says it. There are more and more fast riders. And it doesn't matter if they have experience or not. There are youngsters who lack that experience, but their co-drivers do. The mechanics are not failing and this makes the pace very fast from the start. You don't have to think much. We there's one week left. We have to continue as we are and go day by day. We have to keep going at the top. When possible, go to the maximum, and if it doesn't proceed, loosen up a bit. We have to be smart to maintain the mechanics", warns the South Racing Can-Am racer.

"With options for everything"... On the other hand, Farrés admits that he looks better as a driver this year and also highlights the team. "However, there can be any setback, be it a breakdown or something else that makes us lose time. Therefore, until we reach the end, nothing can be said. It is a category that is very similar to that of motorcycles" , apostille.

"I'm better than I expected. We're super good. We only find ourselves six minutes from the lead and I see us with options for everything," he adds, already in a much more optimistic tone.

"A lot of pain in my body"... In addition, the man from Manresa confessed that the most difficult part of the first week of the Dakar was "managing the changes in rhythm. It was hard not being able to save anything. And it is key not to make mistakes, since there are so many competitive riders and you can't fail. Then there are changes in weather, many kilometers, river crossings, cut dunes. We have dead cervicals. I don't remember any Dakar with pain and in this one I have a lot of pain in my body and Diego the same. This is what all the drivers are experiencing, both in cars and motorcycles. We are really tired in this Dakar."

And what are the rivals you fear the most? "I think that the favorites are the four that are at the top. Baciuska, the Goczals and us. The differences with the others are bigger and we are four, so even if there is a failure of one, we will not all fail. Among these four there will be the one who wins", he predicts. And, immediately afterwards, he reiterates: "There may be breakdowns and one day you're up and another you're not. You have to give your best and then wait for nothing negative to emerge. But I don't think we're going to fail all of the top ones."

"We are reaching a week in which nerves are already coming into play. It is essential to bring out experience. We have to play our cards. We must play with them strategically. The psychological factor is key. You have to put pressure on your rivals, but always playing fair, of course," he concludes.

by Enrique Naranjo