“We are in the workshop as many hours as there are during the day, because in Dakar there are always things to do and in this race, the least vigilance is when failure occurs”. These are words of David Palmada, ‘Pelut’, one of the most experienced and knowledgeable motorcycle mechanics in the entire Dakar, which celebrates its 25th edition this January in Arabia. And he’s not exaggerating. The mechanics of any category are the true unsung heroes of this test, perhaps the great ones we have forgotten, the journalists. But it is important to highlight it.
In the bivouac, with very complicated conditions, with three storms of sand and cold, what is remarkable is not only the hours they work each day, but also the passion with which they do it. On Saturday, I went to talk Cristina Gutierrezwith the help of Dacia. As I waited for him to leave the engineering meeting, I was amazed at what I saw. I was in front of 3 Dacia cars, Al-Attiyah, Loeb and Burgos. Three mechanics per car, each in a worse position (one on the ground and one squatting over tightening nuts), listened to rock music while they tuned their cars. No bad face. No blame. No voice. Just concentration.
Without looking at a piece of paper, they know like the back of their hand the placement of every tiny little piece of the thousands that such a sophisticated vehicle has.
A small mistake can cost you a Dakar and a lot of money in his team. But every day, the mechanics get it fixed despite hours, accumulated fatigue, pressure and few hours of sleep. Therefore, when there are stages without help like yesterday or the marathon stage, glad to hear it many for the mechanics who are among those who feel and suffer in this race and who, on the days of changing bivouacs, sleep in the sun on the road until they reach the next camp, again ready to work until an early hour. in the morning And if the car arrives broken down, they can even watch the sunrise with a tool in hand.
Your work is very difficultbut on days like yesterday, can you restwalk around, do some work, like cleaning the tent, but in a relaxed way. For a day, they can enjoy the people and the campground without having to fix cars. A day for them. Very deserved. Forgotten hero.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
