All Contenders Still Very Close In The Top Standings

Time really flies and we have completed the first part of this Dakar Rally. It has been a long and hard week for all, starting with the abandonment of Ricky Brabec after a crash. So we kept fighting day by day and our three riders are doing a great job. I have to say that the competition level is really high. All contenders are very close, so I think we are in a good position to start another week and pursue our goal to move into the top standings. Our strategy hasn’t changed so let's continue to be solid and consistent in a terrain where we know we have the best skills to succeed.

We have reached the rest day after another long stage. I felt good along the way and managed to ride at a good speed and rhythm. Conditions were really hard with the cold weather and the long mileage of the stages making its effect on our fatigue. I think now we are in a good position for the second week of the rally. It is a fact that our category has evolved a lot and the rhythm is impressive but I feel strong and determined to push even harder in the days to come and attack.

This was another good stage. I decided to attack from the start because I knew it was a good moment to recover some time. It was not easy, especially in the first part where there were a lot of stones. Then we moved to faster tracks and I continued at a great pace. The outcome is good and now I am looking forward to the start of the last week of this Dakar Rally. If I could, I would skip the rest day and start tomorrow instead!

So we have concluded stage 8, it was a mixed stage with many different kinds of terrain. I felt good in my Honda CRF 450 Rally and overall It was a good day. Now that we have reached the rest day it is time to recharge our batteries and get ready for another decisive week. I have some delay but I believe there is still a lot to happen in this Dakar and continue to focus on climbing to the top standings.