DAKAR 2017

Dimanche,  janvier 2017.
La Paz – Journée de repos

Décidément, il semble que le Xtremeplus Polaris Factory Team soit la seule équipe capable de préparer des machines pour terminer le Dakar et de les emmener au bout ! Après une semaine de course très dure, il ne reste, dans la catégorie SSV, que les cinq Polaris RZR 1000XT+30, un bilan plus que positif dont Marco Piana peut se réjouir :

« En effet, je suis satisfait de cette première semaine car, par rapport à notre catégorie SSV, tous nos véhicules sont arrivés à La Paz ! Et je souligne qu’ils ont fait tout le parcours, même la spéciale si difficile en navigation et en gestion de températures. C’est donc un très bon bilan, d’autant plus que nous avons trois nouveaux pilotes.

Les trois équipages chinois ont une mentalité et une stratégie de préserver leur RZR car, selon leur expérience de course en Chine, ils ont toujours peur de casser quelque chose.  Ceci dit, cela nous soulage car il ne roule pas vite mais bien et ne casse pas trop les RZR. Le plus rapide est le jeune Russe Ravil Maganov mais il a payé cash sa fougue dans la première spéciale et se retrouve derrière maintenant, en quatrième position.
Quant à l’équipage Brésilien Torres/Roldan, ils mettent à profit leur expérience du Dakar 2016 et roulent avec une bonne moyenne. »

Cette première semaine a été très dure tant par les kilomètres, le terrain, les températures excessives en Argentine, la météo désastreuse en Bolivie et l’altitude… L’étape Oruro-La Paz a été annulée à cause des trombes d’eau qui se sont déversées sur la zone. Mais la deuxième partie de ce Dakar ne sera pas une promenade de santé.
Demain, lundi 9 janvier, les équipages partent pour une étape marathon, sans assistance, raccourcie à cause des intempéries dans la zone d’Uyuni. « Maintenant, continue Marco Piana, directeur du Team Xtremeplus, ils doivent gérer leur course. Les difficultés seront toujours les mêmes : fatigue, altitude, chaleur… et rester concentré. Les machines ont été parfaitement préparées et révisées car cette journée, n’est que « Repos » pour les pilotes, pas pour les mécaniciens qui travaillent depuis ce matin. Si nos cinq équipages ont un peu de tête, ils seront tous à l’arrivée à Buenos Aires ! »

DAKAR 2017

Sunday, January 8, 2017
La Paz – Rest Day

It seems that the only team capable of preparing machines to complete the Dakar is the Xtremeplus Polaris Factory Team! After a very difficult week, the only SSV that are still in the race are the five Polaris RZR 1000XT+30, a mid-race assessment of which Marco Piana can be pleased:

“In fact, I am satisfied of this first week. Compared with the rest of competitors in the SSV category, all our vehicles made it to La Paz! And I highlight that they’ve completed every stage, even if it was difficult in navigation and managing the high temperatures. So, the assessment is very positive, and we even have three new drivers!

The three Chinese teams have a mentality and strategy that targets preserving the RZR because, according their racing experience in China, you could break something at any time. With this said, it is a relief because they do not go extremely fast, and they do not break the RZR much. The fastest is the Russian driver Ravil Maganov, and he paid this quite quickly in the first special stage, and now he is in the forth place. Regarding the Brazilian crew of Torres/Roldan, they profit of their experience of the last Dakar and are assuring their race.”

This first week was very difficult due to the number of kilometers, type of soils, high temperatures in Argentina, awful weather conditions in Bolivia, plus the altitude. The stage Oruro-LaPaz was cancelled because of the amount of water fallen in the area… But the second part of the Dakar will not be easy.

Tomorrow, Monday, January 9, the crews take the start of a marathon stage, without service assistance, shortened due to the rain in Uyuni.  “Now, continues Marco Piana, Xtremeplus Team Director, they have to manage their race. The difficulties will be the same: tiredness, altitude, heat… and staying focused. The machines have been prepared and revised during the rest day, which is only for the drivers. Our mechanics worked since early in the morning. If our crews stay focused, they will all be at the finish line in Buenos Aires!”

DAKAR 2017

Sunday, January 8, 2017
La Paz – Rest Day

It seems that the only team capable of preparing machines to complete the Dakar is the Xtremeplus Polaris Factory Team! After a very difficult week, the only SSV that are still in the race are the five Polaris RZR 1000XT+30, a mid-race assessment of which Marco Piana can be pleased:

“In fact, I am satisfied of this first week. Compared with the rest of competitors in the SSV category, all our vehicles made it to La Paz! And I highlight that they’ve completed every stage, even if it was difficult in navigation and managing the high temperatures. So, the assessment is very positive, and we even have three new drivers!

The three Chinese teams have a mentality and strategy that targets preserving the RZR because, according their racing experience in China, you could break something at any time. With this said, it is a relief because they do not go extremely fast, and they do not break the RZR much. The fastest is the Russian driver Ravil Maganov, and he paid this quite quickly in the first special stage, and now he is in the forth place. Regarding the Brazilian crew of Torres/Roldan, they profit of their experience of the last Dakar and are assuring their race.”

This first week was very difficult due to the number of kilometers, type of soils, high temperatures in Argentina, awful weather conditions in Bolivia, plus the altitude. The stage Oruro-LaPaz was cancelled because of the amount of water fallen in the area… But the second part of the Dakar will not be easy.

Tomorrow, Monday, January 9, the crews take the start of a marathon stage, without service assistance, shortened due to the rain in Uyuni.  “Now, continues Marco Piana, Xtremeplus Team Director, they have to manage their race. The difficulties will be the same: tiredness, altitude, heat… and staying focused. The machines have been prepared and revised during the rest day, which is only for the drivers. Our mechanics worked since early in the morning. If our crews stay focused, they will all be at the finish line in Buenos Aires!”