BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Some 40 rookie competitors from across South America have been back to school to get all-important advice from the Dakar Rally's sporting director, David Castera.
Even for the more serious, who have spent a year fine-tuning their vehicles and looking after their physical condition, the daily bivouac routine, the timing and sequencing of the days of the race and the use of navigation instruments, required some attention to detail, reports the Dakar website.
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Castera said: “This is already a very important phase for the competitors. This day will allow them to integrate a large quantity of information in a very efficient manner that will be very useful for them to show up well prepared.”
At this meeting, the trainees had the privilege to listen and to ask questions to one the favorites of the event, Joan Barreda, who for the first time swopped his rider leathers for a professorial coat and tie.
Barreda said: “I am thrilled to take part in this session. I believe it is crucial for them to gather all the advantages and show up with the best chance to finish the Dakar. I hope that the little experience I have gained these past years will serve them”, summed up the seven time stage winner."
Preparations also concerned the organisation throughout the week leading up to the competitor course, with three seminars to enact the operation of all the mobilised devices to address rescue problems and security in general, claims the Dakar site.
In Argentina, then in Chile and Bolivia, these work days brought together the heads of all the authorities involved (law enforcement, fire departments, emergency services, etc…), with the key members of the PC race, which centralises all the information and intervention decisions on the rally.
Stay with Wheels24.co.za for full coverage on the January 2015 Dakar Rally.