Lessons from a world-class professor

This weekend, some South American competitors were at work in Buenos Aires, for a Dakar preparation course. The novices got to listen to David Castera, as well as attend Joan Barreda’s debut of as a school teacher!

A fine class of studious and focused rookies! For the South American competitor course session essentially intended for Dakar newcomers, some 40 competitors from across the continent came to hear the all-important advice from the rally’s Sporting Director, David Castera.

Even for the more serious, who have spent their year fine-tuning their vehicles and looking after their physical condition, the daily bivouac routine, the timing and sequencing of the days of the race and the use of navigation instruments, required some attention to detail: “This is already a very important phase for the competitors, explains Castera.

This day will allow them to integrate a large quantity of information in a very efficient manner that will be very useful for them to show up well prepared.” At this meeting, the trainees had the privilege to listen and to ask questions to one the favorites of the event, Joan Barreda, who for the first time swapped his rider leathers for a professorial coat and tie: “I am thrilled to take part in this session, I believe it is crucial for them to gather all the advantages and show up with the best chance to finish the Dakar. I hope that the little experience I have gained these past years will serve them”, summed up the seven time stage winner.

Preparations also concerned the organization throughout the week leading up to the competitor course, with three seminars to enact the operation of all the mobilized devices to address rescue problems and security in general. In Argentina, then in Chile and Bolivia, these work days brought together the heads of all the authorities involved (law enforcement, fire departments, emergency services, etc…), with the key members of the PC race, which centralizes all the information and intervention decisions on the rally.

A.S.O.