Laia Sanz: "It will be a more demanding Dakar and I like that"

   MADRID, 22 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The pilot Laia Sanz (Astara Team) assured that the Dakar 2023 will be "more demanding" and "will wear more", although she "likes" that, in a race that she faces with the "strengths" of "maturity" and "experience". " that give it its twelve consecutive complete editions.

"They always say that each year is harder, but the fact of not stopping for refueling will be a great change, it will show who is physically fit. We are going to wear ourselves out more, without eating, without going to the bathroom, it will be more uncomfortable. The stages they will be longer, but it's good, more things will happen. I like it, it looks like it will be a more demanding Dakar", Sanz analyzed in an interview with Europa Press after the presentation of the Astara Team, the Catalan's new team.

The Catalan has 11 participations in the Dakar in the motorcycle category, and in all of them she was the winner in the women's category, with a ninth place overall in 2015 as the best result on a motorcycle by a woman in the history of the race. "I have been a pioneer many times, but now there are women mechanics and a change is being seen. They are putting their batteries together, the brands are seeing that women also buy cars and motorcycles. We are on the right track," she stressed.

Thus, he pointed out that his "motorbike experience helps a lot", because "knowing the race well gives you a very big plus" and "you can anticipate things". "The experience in the race will be a strength. Maturity too, it is not the same to do it at 25 years as at 35, and then my apprenticeship in a car this last year," he added, before setting himself the goal of finishing in the 'top ' 15. "It is not easy to set a goal, there are about 20 T1 Plus. It is difficult because there is a lot of level, but why not, you have to dream", he valued.

However, Sanz insisted that the Dakar is "the toughest race" for which he has ever prepared. "They are 15 hard days and it ends up wearing you down," she added, although she is "happy" with her "evolution" as a driver that can make her "much more competitive."

In addition, his experience with Carlos Sainz in the inaugural season of Extreme E, with a hard-earned sixth place in the final standings, has also "made him improve". This new competition is born with a clear sustainable base, by competing in rally with electric SUVs. And it is that Sanz believes that the 'motorsport' "must" take that direction.

"If we want there to continue to be 'motorsport', we have to adapt. It's hard for those of us who come from a lifetime of motoring, but that's where everything is going. It's a matter of habit and being a bit open-minded. In the end it's weird because of the noise, but once you're in the car it's the same, you want to go fast, we like racing. You hear other noises, but it's a matter of adapting," he said.

Finally, Sanz addressed the attractions of an "adventure" race and "that engages not only people who like the engine, because of the images, the landscapes". "When I was little they freaked me out. It has something magical that hooks us all," he concluded.