• Interview.Sainz, against cheats
  • Alonso. "I'm here to enjoy and finish it"

Marc Coma , in charge of guiding his steps through the desert, has admitted that even he had not believed in such an adventure. "I would have thought it was a joke," said the Dakar Rally pentacampeon on Saturday. But no. Fernando Alonso does not support such licenses for any of his challenges. He did not do it with Toyota in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, nor will he do it in his new adventure in the 500 Miles of Indianapolis, on May 24. Nor from Sunday in Saudi Arabia, despite the exceptional difficulty of the stake. "I assume everything with humility, but also with competitiveness," he revealed on Saturday in Jeddah, the starting point of the toughest rally in the world. The first Dakar for one of the most complete pilots of all time.

The adaptation week has been long, dedicated exclusively to that torrent of doubts that worry any rookie. Since December 28, the day of his landing, Alonso has studied every nut of his car, every bite of breakfast in the bivouac, every corner of the caravan where he will spend the night under the freezing desert temperatures ... "It's a sponge", used to say his friend Carlos Sainz , favorite for the final victory, the man destined to threaten the presumed dominance of Toyota, which also has pilots of the prestige of Nasser Al-Attiyah or Giniel de Villiers .

"My teammates are here to win and I to enjoy," Fernando slipped on Friday. Anyone who knows their competitive genius could put those words in question. Even himself a few minutes later: «In the second week of the race I can have more confidence. The objective is to get into the chosen ones and finish in the best possible position ».

Podium

On Saturday, on the Jeddah podium, Alonso shared the stage for the first time with a Dakar legend such as Stephane Peterhansel , the other great Mini trick against Toyota. Already under the closed night, the Spaniard slipped his Hilux, with the number 310, by a soulless podium that lacked the popular warmth of the last South American editions. Half a thousand fans, at most, immortalized the scene. The familiar words of thanks followed the handshake with the authorities.

A particular version of the main theme of Game of Thrones rumbled through the speakers. And the organization is not going to miss the opportunity to show the friendliest updates of its absolute monarchy. If you have any questions, you should have seen that choreography of a classical dance couple under the chords of You can leave your hat on . A version of Nine and a half weeks under the new parameters of religious fundamentalism. To follow the party, a flamenco painting to the sound of some joys of Cádiz and an update of the tuning of the fantastic car . Indescribable.

Four Spanish

Outside of these minutiae, the 12 participating women also paraded on the podium (only 2.1% of the 571 protagonists). A quota, still tiny, with a special Spanish accent: Laia Sanz , aspiring to the top-10 in motorcycles; Cristina Gutiérrez , top-25 candidate in cars; Sara García , adventurous adventurous on the back of her Yamaha; and Monica Plaza , who at 24 will guide her father through the dunes.

That navigation now seems a crucial factor, given the restrictions introduced by David Castera , new director of the rally. In six of the 12 stages, the co-drivers will not have the roadbook until shortly before departure. This is intended to return to the original spirit of adventure. At that time in the Sahara where a mistake could ruin anyone. In addition, any device with GPS outside the organization will be requisitioned at the beginning of each day and two cameras will watch the favorites with zeal. A conscientious crusade against cheats. They were not missing.

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  • sports
  • Dakar Rally
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Fernando Alonso

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