Bushiee46
12-12-2006, 13:05
Dakar Rally-12th December 2006
Repsol rider Giovanni Sala admits that he may not be best prepared for what will be his ninth assault on the Dakar Rally, but insists that it is the unpredictability of the event that often determines the result.
Speaking with less than a month to go before the start of the 2007 event in Lisbon, the Italian explained that a lack of similar events in his homeland has left him short of 'seat time' on the distinctive Repsol-liveried KTM, but had his confidence buoyed by a successful campaign in the Italian enduro series.
"Unfortunately, there are not many raids in Italy and, therefore, I have hardly been able to ride any bike of that kind after the Dakar," he sighed, "But I entered the Italian Enduro Championship and that helped me a lot, because I have been competing for the whole year, even if it has been on an enduro bike which is not the same as a raid bike. Things worked out very well because we won the Italian Championship carrying the Repsol colours and, this year, they have called me again to be part of the Repsol Team. That's something I appreciate very much.
"It is a really serious and professional team, and it's fantastic for me. I've been training a lot throughout the year. Racing raids is obviously different than racing enduro races, but the physical training helps me a lot and that's why I'm well in shape. It is a very different race, but I've done everything possible to be at a 100 per cent. I've ridden a lot, I've been at the gym and I feel quite well. Now, I'm training with Jordi Arcarons and working on navigation. I might be lacking a bit of training for the raid as such, but I feel ready."
Sala is also looking forward to the return of some classic Dakar legs, but insists that, despite their familiarity, there is always something to catch out the unwary.
"The Dakar is a very particular race and it's different every time, because there are many kilometres to be covered and the terrain is always complicated," he explained, "It is true that, this year, they are going back to the classical Dakar route and that we are more or less going to places we've already been in previous years, but there are always surprises. Anything can happen - and it's very difficult to know what."
Repsol rider Giovanni Sala admits that he may not be best prepared for what will be his ninth assault on the Dakar Rally, but insists that it is the unpredictability of the event that often determines the result.
Speaking with less than a month to go before the start of the 2007 event in Lisbon, the Italian explained that a lack of similar events in his homeland has left him short of 'seat time' on the distinctive Repsol-liveried KTM, but had his confidence buoyed by a successful campaign in the Italian enduro series.
"Unfortunately, there are not many raids in Italy and, therefore, I have hardly been able to ride any bike of that kind after the Dakar," he sighed, "But I entered the Italian Enduro Championship and that helped me a lot, because I have been competing for the whole year, even if it has been on an enduro bike which is not the same as a raid bike. Things worked out very well because we won the Italian Championship carrying the Repsol colours and, this year, they have called me again to be part of the Repsol Team. That's something I appreciate very much.
"It is a really serious and professional team, and it's fantastic for me. I've been training a lot throughout the year. Racing raids is obviously different than racing enduro races, but the physical training helps me a lot and that's why I'm well in shape. It is a very different race, but I've done everything possible to be at a 100 per cent. I've ridden a lot, I've been at the gym and I feel quite well. Now, I'm training with Jordi Arcarons and working on navigation. I might be lacking a bit of training for the raid as such, but I feel ready."
Sala is also looking forward to the return of some classic Dakar legs, but insists that, despite their familiarity, there is always something to catch out the unwary.
"The Dakar is a very particular race and it's different every time, because there are many kilometres to be covered and the terrain is always complicated," he explained, "It is true that, this year, they are going back to the classical Dakar route and that we are more or less going to places we've already been in previous years, but there are always surprises. Anything can happen - and it's very difficult to know what."