Laia Sanz: “This year has been a real Dakar again, a tough Dakar”

Laia Sanz (Corbera de Llobregat, 1985) successfully tempted the number associated with bad luck, managing to finish his 13th participation in the rally, and not without problems. Dakar. In this way, he maintained a clean streak that led him to always cross the finish line, first in motorcycles and now in cars.

Thirteen editions of the Dakar have been completed in thirteen attempts. What does this tell you?

It’s something I’m proud of. We all know how difficult it is to finish a Dakar and how easy it is to get into trouble. i am proud On the bike I made a good position. Now I’m starting a new phase in cars, this one cost a little more than usual but we finished it and I’m very happy.

This is one of the editions where that record is most at risk. When you crossed the finish line on the last day… Did you do it with more frustration that you didn’t reach your peak or relief that it all ended in a happy ending?

On the one hand, I was very happy to finish because thirteen in thirteen is something very complicated that very few have achieved. But, on the other hand, the initial goal was to finish in the top-15. I think it could be better. We still can’t and the taste is bitter. I was left with the positive thing of knowing how to overcome difficulties, finish each day and maintain a good rhythm when everything is going well.

What are the keys to always being reliable?

There must have been some luck, because when things happened they weren’t serious enough to finish. And then there is knowing yourself. Knowing race, understanding how to understand it, is something I’ve always been good at and thanks to the combination of all these things we’ve always been able to finish.

Is Al-Attiyah the opponent to beat now?

He is a crack but his car is more proven than others and that allows him to have a more comfortable race than other teams. Moreover, he spends a year on the run and was practically born there, so he has a vision of the land and a reading of the sands that gives him a very good point in favor.

Its arrival in a safe harbor is one of the few positive news for the Spanish riders in this edition. How do you explain that things have gotten so bad? Has something changed compared to other years that was decisive?

This person again became a Dakar indeed, a difficult Dakar and difficult to finish. This is something we missed in the last editions. But a little bad luck came together. Carlos Sainz I had an accident, too. A few people didn’t have problems with this edition, it just got harder and you pushed everything to the limit. Obviously it takes a toll.

Do you prefer rally like this?

I liked it very much Dakar. As last year I criticized it at times, this time I congratulate the organization. It’s harder, longer, more varied because we have both rock and sand. I prefer a Dakar that is difficult, where things happen and it is difficult to finish, that it does not all go to the bottom.

The last two or three years did not have the same merit to finish, because you can also re-enlist with a high penalty. It becomes fair again because you have to get past the closed door in time. We finished another edition and for me it was very good. After the rollover, this is the goal, I don’t want this streak to be broken.

Do you prefer a car to a motorcycle?

They are different times. It’s hard for me to choose one thing. The bike gave me brutal pleasure, incredible results. But right now, I’m only thinking about four wheels. The bike was behind us, it was a very nice stage. Now four wheels excite me.

So you don’t have the motorcycle ‘bug’?

A: I had one day from the sand stages, which I liked and I was more or less good. But I spent many years being cold, leaving very early in the morning, putting my life at risk. I’ve done this enough times and now it’s time to go to the next stage.

Do you think the level of motorcycles has dropped a bit?

It has increased significantly, in the last five years it is an atrocity. It’s a new generation where everyone runs and they do it differently because they push themselves to the limit every day. Before, there were specific days of racing, more strategy and two drivers to win. Now there are ten. It’s amazing, the level is crazy.

The role of Cristina Gutiérrez was also good news. Do you feel that women are becoming more visible in the rally and that they are paving the way for those coming from behind?

Insurance. When I started, there were three years when there were three of us and I think this year we are almost 50. Moreover, there are Saudi women participating and doing better every time. Figures like these are necessary to pave the way and for more to come behind.