Factory Sherco's Joan Pedrero on a tough Dakar Rally
By Team TMX on 25th Feb 18
Factory Shercos Joan Pedrero finished 11th in the 2018 Dakar Rally here he tells us the challenges he faced in the worlds toughest race...
Dakar 2018 was quite challenging compared to previous editions with many riders not completing the race. Would you say this was the toughest Dakar in your career?
Joan Pedrero: Dakar has always been an exhilarating experience for me and this year was no different. But yes, the terrain in Peru and Bolivia was extremely challenging when compared to previous editions.
I had to use all my Rally experience to ensure that I clock a strong performance but also ride smart as finishing the Rally was crucial. I rode my heart out but was unlucky in a few stages and that affected my overall position. However, I pushed hard and attacked towards the last few stages thus climbing up the rankings to finish at the 11th position.
What were the biggest challenges that you had to overcome during Dakar 2018?
JP: Navigating through the dunes and sections of thick, slushy mud in Peru and battling the high altitude of Bolivia was quite challenging not just for me but for all riders. My crew ensured that my motorcycle was in top shape at the start of every stage and that helped me get through these challenges without too much trouble.
Also, I had trained hard before the Rally to ensure my fitness levels were good enough to take on the strain of the 10-day Rally. At Dakar, you have to be ready for all kinds of challenges and I was mentally prepared for that.
Your teammates Adrien Metge and Aravind KP were unlucky and got knocked due to crashes. Was there any pressure on you being the sole rider for the team?
JP: The crashes of my teammates were quite unfortunate and it does affect the entire team as we have been preparing for Dakar for a year. I was impressed with KP who showed great skill and maturity to tackle the tough stages in Peru.
Metge is quite an experienced rider and had a great start but was unlucky to be crashing out early. I was taking it one day at a time during the Rally and not putting myself under any pressure.
As an experienced rider, you are prepared for any eventuality at Dakar and I am happy to have completed it and kept the Sherco TVS Factory Rally team flag flying high.
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