lorenzo santorino (Salamanca, Guijuelo) and Javier Vega (Madrid, Leganes), dakar They will compete in the motorcycle division in the “Scratch” category. Saudi Arabiaof, From January 5th to 19thone of the toughest editions in this category, according to the organizers, in which, in addition to facing a long and tiring race, you will have to complete the following stages: 48 hours without any assistance.

“There are already very few things in the marathon stage, but this time there will be even less. We have made camps several times, but it is very complex logistically to set up things in the desert. They told us “I said I was going to pitch a tent,” he said, “military-style food, no toilets, enough to last me a night. It would be difficult in that sense.”Director Santorino made this confession in an interview with “Agencia EFE.”

The Salamanca native, who rides a Sherco prototype bike, finished 6th in 2021, 11th in 2022, and returned to the top 10 in the 2023 Dakar with a final ninth place. He has set his goal to be in the top five this year.

This will be a big challenge for Javier Vega. After taking second place in the “Original” category last season, they have raised the bar and now have to compete in the “Scratch” category, but in the technical conditions of the original and without any points in that category. No.

His real concern isn’t about 48 hours, it’s about the bike arriving on time. “We have to jump about 800 kilometers to the town where we will rest. They will travel, but we are worried about time.” The bike is scheduled to arrive that day,” he said.

In an interview with EFE, Pon Group-supported drivers Lorenzo Santorino and Javier Vega spoke about Dakar 2024 and its goals.

What do you expect from Dakar 2024 this year?

(Lorenzo) I have a feeling it will be a complicated Dakar. They plan to have all the elements of past editions and a 48-hour time trial they’ve dubbed “Two Days in the Glade,” plus more kilometers each day and hours of biking and navigation. .

(Javier) I think we have changed the route a little compared to last year, as this year we are planning to start at the dunes and end at the rocks. You have to be careful. The pilots will be getting more tired going into the second week, and by the time we finish on the rocks, there have already been some accidents last year. If you drop your bike, the damage caused by stones will be even greater.

48 hours a day is like an ambush…

(Lorenzo) I already have very little in the marathon, but this time I will have even less. Even if you build a camp, setting up things in the desert is very complex logistically. They told us there would be no tents, military-grade food rations, toilets, etc., and that they would have enough to last us the night. In that sense, it will be difficult. The Empty Quarter stage is an area with a lot of sand dunes, so it can be more or less complex depending on the plot of the race.

(Javier): There are eight camps and we will go as far as we can. The top drivers will go a little further, and more “amateurs” will stay with different drivers. There are no mechanics involved, and the race is run over two days in one day, like a marathon stage. And within the “blank quarter” with the problem of having nothing.

Are you worried that these two days could be the level of thermometer that your Sherco has reached?

(Lorenzo) It’s a bike from a few years ago, but it’s true that it doesn’t have the tradition of other brands. We are a factory team, but we don’t have the budget like other teams. I don’t know if it’s going to be an important stage or not, but the thing about this race is that each day builds up and you cover many kilometers. The accumulation of these things will have a big impact later on. The bike will take a lot of damage there, but we’ve done a lot of testing this year and we’re ready.

(Javier) This 48-hour stage will really be another stage for me. There is no mechanical support there. Even if you don’t have a big toolbox, keep a filter in your jacket and be ready to do anything. I’m not really worried about those two days, but I’m worried about the next rest day.

You will have to jump about 800 kilometers to the city where you will rest. They will move me, but I am worried about what time the bike will arrive that day. I always take the opportunity to disassemble the entire bike, clean it, and rebuild it from scratch bit by bit. It’s different if you already own a bike and if your organization needs to transport a bike. I’m a little panicked because I’m scheduled to arrive at 5 or 6 p.m. This is another point where you can spend your nights in Dakar, and the more time you accumulate, the more tired you become.

What are the key points for proper classification?

(Lorenzo) What was important to me was always having proper crisis management. Ride at a high pace to avoid running away from the leader, but be careful not to risk breaking your bike or falling over. Finding that balance is the key for me and I’ve been trying to achieve that. We know we don’t have the speed to fight to win, but we also have other weapons such as discipline and patience to take advantage of opportunities.

In the end, it would be ideal to finish in the top 5. We’ve been bouncing around in these positions over the past few years. He stayed within the top five until the 9th stage, but ultimately was unable to achieve that goal due to circumstances. we are close. It depends on the terrain, but the important thing is to place it in the right place.

(Javier) I am in the original category without support. Last year, I finished on the podium in second place, but they deemed me to be of a higher level and no longer an “amateur”, so they changed the regulations and did not allow me to compete in this category. Now I’m supposed to participate in the “scratch” category with the rest of the drivers… I’m still participating in the original terms, but I didn’t get a score in that category. I want to be in the top 30 at the “Scratch” level.