MADRID, Jan. 18 (SportsFinding) –
The Spanish rider Isidre Esteve (Repsol Rally Team) has admitted on Saturday that it was his “mistake” made during stage 7 of the Dakar Rally, and that it meant his definitive abandonment, “for relying on a possibility that never existed” after his communications with those responsible for career direction.
“After repairing the breakdown, we left the track because they told us on the iritrack that we did not go through the dunes at night because of a security issue. We listened to them and arrived at the camp by road, believing that they had thought of a solution and that we could continue competing. The next day, career direction told us that the regulation did not allow us to continue, “he said in statements to his team upon arrival at the Barcelona airport.
Thus, the ilerdense assumes its share of responsibility. “The mistake was ours to rely on a possibility that never existed,” he said. “It is a pity to have finished this Dakar like this because the team had worked very hard to achieve a good result this year and continue advancing in our project. But that's how the races are and, far from giving up, these adverse situations should help us grow and be stronger. “
In addition, the Oliana pilot thanked Repsol, MGS Seguros, KH-7 and the rest of the technical sponsors “the trust they have placed in the Repsol Rally Team”. “I can only tell you that this team has a long way to go and great potential, which is sure to allow us to live together many joys in the future,” he said.
On the first Dakar in Saudi Arabia, he explained that he has presented an “excellent” tour, both “on a technical level” and for his “extraordinary landscapes”. “The Dakar has returned to its origins in this edition, by the hand of the new director David Castera and, although there are aspects to improve, I believe that the race will settle in the coming years in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
On the other hand, Esteve congratulated Carlos Sainz and his co-pilot, Lucas Cruz, for his victory in the car category. “They have always been ahead and have fought until the last day. They are just winners of this Dakar, because Mini made a big bet for them and they have taken advantage of the potential of their car more than anyone, even Peterhansel,” he said.
Finally, he praised the “great Dakar” made by Fernando Alonso the year of his test debut. “It has pleasantly surprised everyone, inside and outside the camp. It is not normal for a newcomer to arrive in a mode as different from rally-raid as Formula 1 does so well. He has shown that if he has no problems, its rhythm is close to the 'top 5' and that, for an inexperienced pilot in the Dakar, has incredible merit, Marc Coma, a fantastic navigator who has also given him some valuable advice on how to deal with each situation, “he concluded.