Engine testing is known as the most demanding in the world because, beyond the quality of the pilot, the reliability of the mechanics, and the harsh environment, it requires physical and psychological preparation for explosion protection. Not everyone will be able to emerge victorious from such an extreme adventure. dakarwhich will be experienced for the 48th time from January 3 to 17, 2016, will require pilots to complete almost 8,000 kilometers. To talk about how demanding the Dakar pilots are physically and mentally, MD caught up with Vic Jaume Palau, the fitness and physical trainer who has been in charge of preparing the pilots this time. Nani Roma, Nandu Jubany, Joan Fontand the one who started the love story in Dakar with the pilot Ramon Villa In 1991, when he was competing in car control, Nissan.

“The most important thing for pilots is to stay active and take care of themselves.”

Since then, he has worked with countless adventure pilots, not to mention his work as a physical trainer for sports such as cycling, mountain skiing and roller hockey. Jordi Alcalons, Jerad Juarez or Rosa Romero, wife of Nani Roma. For more than 30 years, in various editions of the Dakar, he said: “We have to apply what we think is good for this sport, outline the physical preparation and provide what elite athletes need. It is a very personal job, each with different characteristics.”

Preparing a professional pilot is not the same. Nani Romafor motor enthusiasts like chefs. Nandu Jubanyspend as much time as possible training. “Nani, for example, has a lot of time to prepare. Apart from physical preparation, he also works on a psychological level and does visual training. He has built a small gym at home to optimize his time. I am preparing a program for him and sometimes we meet at home. vic fitness“It’s different with Jubany. He works long hours, so I go to his house every day if I can. I have prepared a work plan for him. He works in a small gym at home and also plays in the pool. He has had several joint accidents, so it’s working out very well. “And it is he who goes to the gym with Joan Font, and they often go out on their bikes.

“The important thing is that visual and perceptual training is also 100%. The best training is specific training with the car.”

Preparation involves several conditions, such as the professionalism of the driver, his age, and the vehicle used. Car drivers, who sit and put a lot of strain on their lower back, forearms and neck, are different from motorcyclists, who are at much greater risk.

Palau, which started cooperating with three pilots after the summer holidays in a program that will last until December, assures that “the most important thing is that the person is physically active and takes care of himself. There are long hours of giving all in stress and heat. Exposure of the body is very physically demanding, and many amateur pilots are not adequately prepared.” Furthermore, in a race full of dangers and traps like the Dakar, “things happen very quickly and the level of demand is very high.”

“As a physical trainer, I can’t fail even if the driver’s performance doesn’t go well because of me, even if the driver isn’t in good shape.”

Palau emphasizes that it is important for drivers to not only be physically prepared, but also to train with their cars. For example, Nandu has a side-by-side, trains on the circuit and competes in gravel rallies. “The important thing is that visual and perceptual training is also 100%. And this year Nani, who Jaume considers to be very strong, was able to race. The best training is car-specific training.”

Now that the work is done, the question is clear where Jaume Palau could fail in the physical preparation of its drivers. And the answer is also straightforward. “If a pilot’s performance isn’t improving because of me, it means he’s not feeling well. When a pilot is tired, his brain and vision don’t work as well, which can lead to an accident.”

Sainz and Nani are not supermen

At the Dakar, nothing should be left to chance, whether a driver is looking to go down in the sport’s history as one of the best drivers, or whether his sole goal is to finish. For this reason, issues of nutrition and hydration are also important. Palau condemned some drivers not eating and drinking as they should and warned that experimentation during races is prohibited. Pilots must know all the food they will eat during the race and must never improvise to avoid imbalances. For example, I always feed my Nani baby food that is easy to digest and rich in vitamins and minerals.

A stupid mistake, like when it comes to food, can undo all the work done over months. Some people believe in luck, but Jaume Palau only professes a religion of good luck, where drivers and teams follow the plan and pay close attention to everything to avoid accidents, but unfortunately accidents happen all the time in Dakar. So, are Carlos Sainz (63 years old) and Nani Roma (53 years old) seemingly fresh supermen after completing the Dakar? Jaume Palau declares: “No, they have always valued each other. They are physically active people, so they enjoy a high level of fitness.”

Alberto Vergani He is one of the most respected managers in the motorcycle world and has served as the right-hand man to some of the best drivers. Casey Stoner, Marco Melandri or charismatic carlos checa. In recent years, he has collaborated with former MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci. However, an Italian recently said: Toprak Razgatriol.

The three-time World Superbike Champion is a big inspiration heading into 2026 in terms of novelty. Turk signed with the team pramac yamaha Now that he has become a clear reference player in WSBK, there are many expectations for what he can do in MotoGP. Vergani made this clear in a statement to GPOne. “He can be a problem for other drivers because he has crazy talent.” He also told an anecdote during the Valencia test that reminded him of another World Cup legend, Casey Stoner.

“Stoner once told me this: When you have a bike, think only about that bike and how to ride it as best as you can, because the moment you see another bike you lose energy and you’ve already lost. That’s where Toprak comes in. He told me in Valencia: “This year we had problems because of the chassis.” The moment I stopped complaining and focused on riding and what I could do with my BMW, I solved the problem. Hearing these words of his reminded me of Casey: To me, Razgatlioglu is ‘Stoner the Revenge.’ ”

For Vergani, the important thing for Toprak next year is not the results, but the learnings he must take as he looks ahead to 2027. In 2027, Pirelli will be the World Cup tire supplier and the Turks already have experience with the Italian compound. So this is where you have the most options.

“2026 It will be a season of discovery for him. The bike, tires and circuit will be new. But I believe in his talent and I am sure that he will show everyone what he is capable of, even though Yamaha has not yet reached the level of competition, ”he concluded.