Checa: “I said to my copy: ‘You’re going to see what MotoGP racing is like'”

Carlos Checa He wanted to win the battle against the dangers hidden in the most suffering race on earth. On my second participation, Dakar, he wants a cruel and harsh personal revenge for this event, and has Laia Sanz and Oscar Fuertes as co-drivers, and Marc Sola as co-drivers, for the more ambitious project Astara. I’m back with the team. And after nearly 9,000 kilometers of stages, about 5,000 timed specials, Carlos Checa crosses the finish line in Dammam with a big smile on his faceA year after doing it for the first time, and without a ‘finisher’ medal, he’s done it perfectly and could already hang the award around his neck. The second time was attractive for Carlos and he was able to finish the Dakar in style. His best stage result was in the 14th special where he was 10th.

In his first Dakar, the final competition of 2022, the former MotoGP rider experienced firsthand what it means to participate in the world’s toughest race. He did it by descending into the mud like a lifelong Dakarian. He was seen enjoying speed on the open track and collapsed when he gained confidence as he accelerated in the desert. His mentality was that of a Dakarian. He didn’t want to throw in the towel. He had to do the hardest. For 2022, he suffered from having to wait for the arrival of pieces that would allow him to rejoin the race. His concern grew as time passed and he didn’t know when the items to fix the car would arrive. The MD found him musing in the dining room, worrying about the car and wanting to get back on the gas. He was eating his breakfast with his head down and thinking. he got hurt He knew things were very complicated, but he never lost hope. And finally he was able to accelerate again. He had to use up the maximum three days given as a limit to be able to rejoin the race and continue competing, and had already been given a heavy penalty.

He was then able to reach his final goal, but without receiving a finisher’s medal. And he was able to do it a year later thanks to his great participation with Sora In it he demonstrated great speed and endurance. Several mechanical issues in the second week of the race kept him out of contention for the top 20 overall and without his initial navigational setbacks. However, one could also say that he was lucky, as the overturned car bounced back on its own and was able to resume his march and reach the camp.

For all this Carlos arrived at Dammam euphoria. “I am very satisfied with all the work that I do every day I am very happy to be here, to arrive and to finally finish Dakar. Last year was over, but not quite. And this year too. Everything happened to us, so it wasn’t easy. A lot of things outside the team and other things that can happen. And we had to resign ourselves and accept it. Without it, Dakar would have been a little different, but everyone has their problems. The best thing is how we faced it and how we dealt with it,” he pointed out to his MD with a big smile, as if he were in a “MotoGP race.” went to the last stage.

Incredible Top 10 on Stage 14: ‘Like MotoGP’

“Today’s stage was a blast. It’s gonna be a thing And I did the 10th Damn I said: “Do you know MotoGP or Superbike racing? Well, you are going to see it today. And it’s maxed out and maxed out,” he revealed with a laugh next to his car.

Checa wanted to enjoy the last kilometer. For this reason, instead of betting on saving up at the last stage and slowing down to the end, he decided to go all out. “Should I keep one? Yes, I know, but I like to run, I like to take risks, I like to rush. There are many ways to end the Dakar Rally, but I would like to finish the race by doing the best possible and completing the stages as we have done so far. The objective is to run more than others, and obviously arrive. I’ve kept it many times due to the mechanics, but this stage 14 was a fun day. It’s the most fun when you push yourself to your limits,” he explained with a smile.

The big question: will he return to Dakar?

After two entries, Carlos Checa has achieved his first goal of the Dakarian Adventure. He showed speed, Dakar spirit, endurance, combat prowess and dedication to earn the ‘Finisher’ medal on his second attempt. After these two experiences in the desert, The problem is whether we can meet him again next year. And if Dakar ignites his competitive ambitions, allowing him to choose to face new challenges and generally achieve better results.

“I think my competitive life on the bike has been fulfilling and satisfying, and I am very proud and happy to have achieved it. The Dakar was an experience I had last year, and this year it was a more interesting project, the Spanish project with Laia Sanz and Oscar Fuertes. It was a very interesting project on the theme of sustainability through biofuels. There were many things that made him rich. That aside, the issue of competition with Marc Sola (his co-driver). We made a great tandem and it was a success to get him. It helped me a lot and automatically made us more competitive,” he explained.

“We had a great time. i lived through that experienceI already know what it is, and personally, if Mark and I had to give ourselves a grade, it would have to be a very high grade. From there… do you want to be a little more competitive and go to the races and look for results? But given the chance, obviously it’s something I really like. And in the last stage I accelerated at full speed and was able to set a better time,” added the Catalan. It doesn’t allow him to think about bigger things, and he wants to go back, but it’s not something we can confirm at the moment.

“Back? It depends. Let’s see. Well, I’m not saying no if there’s interesting stuff to get back to good‘ he expressed. Of course, one thing is clear. “If I come back, it will definitely be with Marc Sola.”