to myth Stephan Peterhansel is known as “Monsieur Dakar” He was recognized for his longevity in racing, with six wins on motorcycles and eight wins on cars (he returned this year with the Defender in the Strock in the production car category). For this reason, Jose Luis Criado could also be called the same way. In this January edition, it’s time to call him ‘Mr Dakar’ as he will be competing in the world’s toughest race 35 times alongside the Frenchman. His appearance represents the behind-the-scenes side of this race, the drivers who come every year just to enjoy the race without competing for media wins with their cars or bikes. Jose Luis recognizes that life has given him everything.

A servant who is a notary public by profession, At Dakar 2026, he will reappear as co-pilot of his great friend and brother, Jordi Giubanteny., He accompanied him in 33 editions (Jordi owns 34 Dakars). both together, Xavier RivasLet’s take on this event as a pioneer. Dakar’s first hydrogen-electric hybrid truck, the KH-7 ECOVERGY Man 6×6, competes in the Mission 1,000 categoryaimed at alternative energy, and aims to continue to use this event as an extreme laboratory so that this technology can inform the future of transportation around the world.

“We have developed a friendship that will never be broken. We are completely antagonistic characters and that’s the key to everything. I wouldn’t have known how to get to Dakar without Jose Luis. I would define it in one word. optimistic. “He is always positive and for him the glass is always full.” This is how his great friend Jordi defines him, and Criado considers him “a fundamental figure in my life, along with my family.” What unites Dakar will never leave anyone.

Criado isn’t even concerned about improving his own record. Even if Yuvanteny decides not to go to the Dakar in 2027, Jose Luis has made it clear: “Without him, I will not come back. My quality is loyalty. Many drivers wanted me as a co-driver, but I have always said no, only with Jordi and my friends.”. That’s no way to make a living. It’s fun. And you have to have fun with the people you love. Faithfulness is the mother of all virtues. ”

No wonder he utters such words. Together with Jordi, he has lived some of the best moments of his life. For example, “Whenever you reach a goal” is the most special moment, one that is always remembered, often after overcoming the dangers of the desert and overcoming much suffering. But he also had the worst drink of his life with Jordi. Of the 34 Dakars he has competed in, what is it that he cannot ignore? It happened in 1997, mid-stage at Elephant Pass in Mauritania.

“I thought we were going to die.”

“Jordi, myself and Francesc Pardo were going. Four or five guys came with rifles, took us out of the truck, pushed us, put us in the truck, We spent all our savings that year to buy it and the race introduced us to a lot of people, about 40 in total, competitors and organizations. “They tried to get you to move, hit you with a Kalashnikov, pushed you down, yelled at you, at first speaking in Arabic, then in French.”recalls being raised for MD.

“It was a very tense moment and they took us out one by one and lined us up against the dunes at night.”in the middle of the desert. We thought our lives would end there. And we said goodbye (looking at Jordi). “Hey, I’ll see you on the other side, we’ll see,” I said to Jordi and we hugged each other. ”He explained.

“They put the Frenchman on his knees there and put a gun to his head. Then one by one they went and stole our belongings and emptied our pockets. I had four or five banknotes,” he explained. But there was one thing I didn’t want to give him. “I was carrying the Virgin Mary and they tried to take it away from me. I objected and got into a fight with one of the attackers…”he emphasized. Why don’t you let her go? He didn’t let the journalist finish his question. “No, no, never! … On his part, Dzubantenny’s expression changed: “That reaction was not the most appropriate at the moment …”. “But it came out, and that’s it.”replied the friend.

“But in the end, it all became an anecdote. They released us and told us:We hope to come back next year, we will steal from you again. ” Luckily they left us there and didn’t pick up the truck. “They stole gasoline, diesel and tools. Others were left without trucks or cars, and some motorcycles were also stolen.”he finished.

But that didn’t stop the two friends from continuing to return to this toughest race, which Criado defines as the “school of life.”

school of life

“Dakar is a way of life. It taught me more than Dakar gave me. It’s so big, the amount of teaching you can receive if you’re careful…” he said with a smile.

“In Dakar, you give your best. There are many adversities and challenges to overcome, and you overcome them. Out of necessity, you gain virtue. You do a lot with little. There is a desire to achieve, to work, to help others, to give of yourself, to improve yourself. And that is the school of life. And above all, in Dakar, Africa, We have learned to relativize what we need in this society where we have everything. The kids will be barefoot there, and they won’t know if they’ll have dinner that night. And for us, even if my son’s mother forgets to buy him mayonnaise one day, he makes a fuss about it. They are so new to it. I have learned to relativize and understand what is truly important in life. Of course I forget. Very often. But I remember it with great gratitude. That’s why I’m grateful for Dakar. ”He explained.

Therefore, he declares without hesitation: Between going to university and going to the Dakar, his choice was always the race that taught him almost everything. At 68 years old, he was able to sing the speech “The old days were always better” after reminiscing a lot about the beginning of his ordeal in Africa. But he refuses. “Nostalgia is a mistake. You can’t cry over spilled milk. Do I like it? I like everything. I liked it better because it was more of an adventure. It was something else. Before, it was an adventure with a little bit of racing. Now it’s a lot of racing and a little adventure, but I like what it has now too.”