Carlos Sainz said with a big smile, “I’m satisfied. These three stages will decide the Dakar victory.”

After taking a well-deserved shower, Carlos Sainz The Spanish press attended the bivouac of Wadi ad Dawasirsaid with a smile. He looked happy as he made it through the next stage without any setbacks and closed the gap to the leader a bit. Nasser Al-Attiyah And optionally reach the decisive part of the Dakar.

Carlos Sainz finished fifth overall with a time of 10 minutes and 26 seconds. We will then approach Stages 8, 9 and 10 with enthusiasm, ensuring that the winner of the Dakar will begin to be determined there.

In a complete statement, Nani Roma appeared behind him, who did not hesitate to greet his partner affectionately. “One more day,” the Folgerol man said after we high-fived him. “We’re still alive.”they both said they were satisfied with their options for victory ahead of a challenging Stage 8, which included multiple types of terrain, rocks and complex navigation areas between canyons.

After saving what could have been an abandoned site in Stage 5, Carlos was much different and had nothing to lose and was happy to continue there. After he saved that difficult situation, he knew that he was “on the edge” and since then he has been smiling and happy with the goal of taking on the challenge.

He recognizes that Nasser will have to deal with some issues in order to come back. It can happen and you start at stage 8 where you have to think about your strategy and do everything you can to put pressure on.

“Well, I would have liked to have had a little bit more time at the end. But I’m happy, we’re doing what we can.”

Next stage strategy

We’re number 5, 10 minutes from here. Well, we are now entering this critical stage of the race. Tomorrow (stage 8) and then the marathon stages (stages 9 and 10). “It’s clear that that’s where the rally will be won or lost, and that’s where we have to do our best,” said the Spaniard. Nani and Lategan broke their rear suspension and were able to overcome the remaining 50km without any problems. Nani managed the situation well, but that cost Genk what would have been a great stage win.

“Yes, there were some places where there was quite a bit of chaos, but hey, we had a good time, no problems.

“Yes, well, that’s a good starting position. Today, the truth is that the specialty is very, very fast. Very, very, very fast. And, well, we’ve been trying to do it well.” Carlos commented that he is considering starting the stage from ninth place this Monday, ahead of Nani Roma (10th) and Al Atoya (11th).

The result of the 8th stage will be an important factor in determining the starting position for the marathon stages (9th and 10th stages), but Sainz pointed out to the MD that the 10th stage is likely to be more difficult in that sense, so starting even further back on the 10th day could be a winning strategy.

“We try to do well in the first part of the marathon stage, but I think the second stage of the marathon is probably the most complicated. We believe. We don’t know the route, but we feel that the second half of the marathon is more complicated, right? Let’s take a look.” The MD then reminded Castella that Stage 8 was “memorable” for the pilots.

“Tomorrow? Well, nothing, let’s get to work, okay? I have to get my work together tomorrow.” He said this with enthusiasm and optimism between laughs.

ford split plan

Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma They used the term “yo-yo effect” throughout the race to refer to the dynamics of the race in which the one who won a stage could give up time at the start the next day, but the other could win again. This means that there are two defined strategies: one to attack on even days and one to attack on odd days. The key is whether the opener can attack on the most difficult day, and it appears that Ford has divided its four cars into these two strategic routes.

“Well, Nani and I will play doggy style and Matthias (Ejström) will play trapeze.”he exclaimed between laughs as a joke for continuing the yo-yo analogy, recalling the numbers you could make in that game.

“No, no” When asked how Ford gained an advantage by splitting its strategy, he replied: ”We still have many kilometers to travel. Now, seriously, I have no idea. “I have to lose as much weight as possible and of course try to do well on the marathon stage.”he concluded.