Even he himself cannot imagine what will happen in Dakar 2025. Nandu Jubanyin his second Dakar adventure after his debut on motorcycles, making his debut in the car category, He ended the 2025 Dakar by conquering the podium in the close two-wheel drive class, against more experienced drivers.
He Catalan chefnext to the co-pilot Marc Solànot only coped with the harshness and complications of the different terrains of the Saudi deserts in an edition where many suffered problems due to the complications of the route and its long stages, but also able to shine with its own light using the same basic ingredients as for its recipes: It is patienthe knows how to use the necessary ingredients for his purpose, he knows how to cook them the right way, he puts passion into his challenge and Most of all, he doesn’t want to rush.
“Run without haste.” That’s the key. It’s an ironic term, but essential in this type of racing where it’s very easy to overheat, go a little faster than necessary and lose everything in an instant. And Nandu didn’t. Solà told him after the first three days of testing, before the MD, that he had to “cook his Dakar.” And from there came one of his best meals ever.
Nandu and Marc They made an ideal couple. Alone It gave him experience, wisdom and advice while driving a strong, reliable and new car, something important to avoid breakdowns. And the chef-turned-driver quickly learns and executes the plan with great skill in the many soft sands he encounters along the way, knowing how to take advantage of the fact that his type of car is allowed to inflate and fly tire adapt them to the route, especially to lower the pressure on soft sands to avoid getting stuck.
The best example of all this is how his car after the very complicated Chrono 48 Hour stage, stage 2, arrived at the last bivouac after two days in the desert without help. “No harm.” It says everything about the career the two Catalans have had. But above all, if there’s one thing Nandu knows how to do, it’s to have fun, even when there are tough moments at times. And so, through all that, both achieved the ultimate goal of each phase every day with a smile.
Nandu rode to a podium position in the 4×2 (its car type, two-wheel drive, less than queen class 4×4, called T1+) comfortably but needs to confirm the work done in the last 60 kilometers of the final stage. And he achieved it next to a Mark which he smiled with happiness upon his arrival at the bivouac of Shubaytahfinished his first Dakar by car with a very good note, in 28th position overall for cars, as the second best Spanish after Pau Navarroand with that second two-wheel drive position.
“Good, good. We’re done and we don’t know how it’s going to end, because until you get to the end, there isn’t. We are very happy, especially with Marc, for the team, the people who helped me, all the sponsors, my husband.“, which is what helped me the most, my family and the team, especially there in the restaurants, they give everything to make the customer happy and our family comes first, that’s the most important thing. ,” said the Catalan chef.
“I say to Marc: How long? “How long?”explained about the end of stage 12 in front of Solà who wanted to tell him earlier than he should have said it was over so he could rest in the last kilometers.
“I am very happy for him in his first Dakar in a car, for achieving a great result that no one expected. “We achieved the goal, if we did not surpass it and we are very happy with the second place in the 4×2 category,” said Solà, knowing that Nandu’s intention is to compete two or three more times with this car in the following Dakars. After such a debut, it’s no wonder.
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.
