Paris (AFP)

The Dakar-2020, which will be held for the first time in Saudi Arabia next January, is part of a "desire to open" the country, says David Castera, the new boss of the race, which ensures to have had "many guarantees" from the kingdom.

Q: Did you hesitate before organizing the race in Saudi Arabia, pointed out for its failures to human rights?

A: "Yes, of course, we met to reflect, but we had many guarantees of the country, we know that there is a desire to open the Dakar is not the first to go to Arabia In Saudi Arabia, there are already a lot of people going in. There are a lot of companies working there, investing, a lot of sporting events, Formula E has paved the way, there have been some matches. tennis, football matches, wrestling matches, boxing matches, so the Dakar is in line with all these events, Saudi Arabia wants to open up, so it uses these events to make itself felt. to know, to make discover the country, to attract the tourists.This is a development first by the sport. "

Q: Has there been a decline in the number of registrants due to this change of continent?

A: "No, on the contrary, we have lost competitors from South America because they came because it was their home, where the transfer for them is a little complicated and too expensive in a difficult economic context. But we made up for it in Europe and in the end, we will have about 20 more competitors than last year, and there will be around 350 to 360 crews starting from the Dakar. "

Q: Did the decision to go to Saudi Arabia affect the number of women leaving, which has allowed women to drive for more than a year?

A: "No, we still have so many, it varies between 10-15-20 each year, I think there are about fifteen this year, as usual, all women are welcome." women who race, there are also a lot of women in attendance and in the organization.The only thing they are asked to do is to be covered in the legs and arms, but they can be dressed quite normal and can come without any problem in Saudi Arabia. "

Interviewed by Diane FALCONER

© 2019 AFP