Dani’s men: Dakar’s “G-Team”

There are three people: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French. Dakar “G Team”. A team that plays that role for Dakar and the media around the world. They are responsible for ensuring journalists and photographers reach the best possible points along the route to take photos and records. Without these, you won’t get the best images. dakarThey simply won’t exist.

“G Team” A work by a Catalan director. tick gnatwill be responsible for identifying and marking photo points on the side of the track before the start of the Dakar. google earthit is also possible to create a report containing the exact location, time of arrival, access and description of the images so that photographers can access them with their own equipment or through private photo agencies.

To take photographers and journalists to these points, Dani has six men. seal‘, as if they were army special operations personnel. Every day, Dani assigns six missions, one to each subordinate. They must follow the letter.

“I give them a mission, like a ‘seal.’ I tell one of them, ‘You’re going to take this person, and that person has to take pictures of motorcycles and trucks.’ he said. This is important, it will take a long time, bring food and water and we will leave the journalists in your hands. I’ll leave it to you at 5am.”Dani stressed to MD the importance of having experienced people to carry out this task. Not everyone can do this job. Dakar G Team’s “Seals” must have good driving skills to pass through sand dunes, dry rivers, rocky areas and all types of terrain To reach the point chosen by the photographer found by the organization.

Of the six men responsible for supporting news organizations around the world, three are Spaniards. These are Dani’s subordinates:

Marcel Quiroz

“Marcel Quiroz is pure dynamite. No matter where you throw him, he always comes out of the situation and solves the problem.”Dani describes Marcel, a mechanic from Tortosa and head of his Dakar Classic team. Lada Niva. This year, he missed the Dakar and was contacted at the last minute to rejoin Team G, the world’s toughest race. And he accepted this without hesitation.

“We will take journalists to ‘proximity points’, which will take you on the asphalt to areas selected as ‘spot points’, which the organization has chosen as the best places for photographers to take pictures. ” The journalist chooses the “spot point”, but the path there is not easy. That’s not a clue. Whether you need to cross dunes, stones or valleys, we’ll get you there. Many times it runs parallel to the railroad tracks. And the pilot’s vision allows him to spot dangerous areas,” Marcel emphasizes.

“I take one of the photographers who have to take the most photos. I have to catch all the pilots.” “I arrive at the point an hour before the first bike and the car closing the track.” I’m leaving,” Quiroz says. He left at night to reach the point at dawn on several stages and slept there for the photographer to take pictures. Now come to the place where you can use your camera to do some magic.

Quique Martinez

“Kike has experience and is great with any journalist.”Dani says to introduce the next main character, Quique Martinez. The organizers are from A Coruña. atlas classic rallywhich is scheduled to reach its 24th edition in 2025. 4×4 racing at Jarama circuit As a truck driving instructor, I run 4×4 courses all over the country. His resume speaks for itself. “The first time I joined the organization and competed in the Dakar was in 2024, so I’m very happy. I’m proud to be part of the organization,” Quique told the newspaper.

Toni Glasses

“Toni is the least experienced person and is the person I trust with photography and communication at other events.”Dani added that she decided to train Toni as a driver so she could drive one of the following: ford ranger of the organization to the extent that the journalist desires.

we mean barcelona Toni Glassesa photographer by profession, is living his dream in the desert of Saudi Arabia.

“I always dreamed about him dakar And that was something I didn’t expect. I was told about this opportunity through a client for whom I am reporting. ”Although he had no driving experience, they found the ability to learn and become part of the team. And it hasn’t disappointed.

“I was called at the last minute to cover a press mission to an action photo spot. It was my first time. dakar And I’m having fun. I’m not a pilot, so this comes with additional responsibility. The most difficult thing is to find very soft sand. If you don’t keep your car high when making a turn, it will sink and you’ll have to get the shovel out. “I’ve been stuck for a few days now.”Remember.

“I was with a journalist. She had to go back to the bivouac to send a report, but we couldn’t get on the track where the cars raced, so I had to improvise and set up an area. If you let your guard down, the sand will catch you.” Dani knew how to get out of the situation, complete the mission and bring the journalists back to the camp. Team G continues to accumulate missions day by day. Dakar photography depends on them. Dani’s men never fail.