The work accumulated by Laia Sanz until the tenth stage of the Dakar 2012 was impeccable. For the second day in a row, and it will be so for the rest of the Dakar, Laia has set off from Iquique alone , without the help or references of her injured backpacker, Marc Guash, who is recovering in hospital from the heavy blow suffered in the eighth stage of the race.
Today’s stage, the tenth, between Iquique and Arica had 377 kilometres of special and 317 kilometres of liaison. Laia is keeping a cool mind and maximum concentration, with the aim of riding without mistakes and managing to finish the stages regularly. This good mentality and hard work are having a positive impact on their results. The Gas Gas rider crossed the finish line in 44th position, 1 hour and 12 minutes behind the winner of the race, the young Joan Barreda, which lifts our rider to 39th position. Curiously, the same square where the 2011 Dakar ended. Let’s remember that Laia is the only woman in the race.
Statements by Laia Sanz:
“Today is another good day. I’m going with a lot of head, without running. Tomorrow we have the marathon stage and we have to keep the mechanics.”
“I didn’t race much in order to conserve the mechanics in the next few days, there are a lot of people who broke the engine today and I don’t want that to happen to me. Tomorrow we have the marathon stage and I won’t have a mechanic, so I don’t want to have any surprises and I’m going to be super calm. I’m aware that you have to keep a comfortable pace, but sure, and that’s what I’m doing. I feel comfortable reading the roadbook and navigating. In fact, today there were a couple of sticking points where a lot of people got lost and I found the right path, which further strengthens my confidence.”
Text: Trialworld
{bonckowall source=”2″ pkey=”album” pvalue=”104487400570604964457″ pvalue2=”Dakar2012″ }{/bonckowall}
