The days leading up to the start of the Dakar are an opportunity for the crews to make final preparations. For Édouard Boulanger, co-pilot of Nasser Al-Attiyah since February 2024, it is a matter of tidying up and knowing by heart the composition of his tool kit, in the event of damage in the desert. For his Qatari colleague, the occupation is focused on analyzing the route of the Dakar 2025, the departure of which is scheduled for this Friday, January 3 in Bisha (Saudi Arabia).
The five-time winner of the event is smiling as usual with the media. His sentences are concise and say a lot about his state of mind. “My goal is always victory, but the competition is extremely tough and the course particularly demanding this year”says the outgoing three-time world rally raid (W2RC) champion.
Nasser Al-Attiyah, nicknamed “the child of the desert” for his nationality as well as his ease in crossing dunes, gives an indication of his approach to the first stages. “I have the impression that it will be a Dakar in reverse”he says. Historically, the Dakar presented the majority of difficulties from halfway through the race, then in the second week. However, Director David Castera concocted a mix of perilous days from the start according to Al-Attiyah.
READ ALSO > Route, program, entrants… the complete guide to the Dakar 2025
“We start with a long stage (413 km of special. Editor’s note), then the 48h Chrono (Sunday and Monday, assistance prohibited and rough course. Editor’s note)yet another long step towards the marathon stage. This first week looks like a second week of the Dakar. So, we'll have to be strategists to get the car to the rest day in good position and in one piece. »
So don't be surprised to see Al-Attiyah-Boulanger not occupying first position in the early stages. Although, this is not in Al-Attiyah's habits! Endowed with an excellent sense of attack, he was able to combine this talent with the navigational sense of his ex-co-driver Mathieu Baumel to outdistance the competition from the first two days of the Dakar 2022 and 2023. So from there to trust 100% according to the man, also an excellent tactician and communicator, it is better to wait for a few specials…
Related News :