BARCELONA, Jan. 13 (SportsFinding) –
The Spanish pilot Laia Sanz (GasGas) is clear that it will be “difficult” to return to the reality of the competition on Tuesday after the unexpected day of rest on Monday for the death, on Sunday, of the Portuguese pilot Paulo Gonçalves.
“It will be difficult to return to the reality of the competition, really. I do not know how we will feel when we get back on the motorcycle, but we will have to try to cope with the situation as we can and concentrate on driving,” he said in statements provided Monday by the equipment.
Sanz, pilot of the Soficat Xerox, acknowledged that the Dakar Rally organization was correct canceling the stage on Monday in the motorcycle category, as a sign of mourning for the death of 'Speedy' Gonçalves, who died after an accident during the last stage.
“After what happened on Sunday, today is a difficult day. I would never have imagined this. ASO did well canceling the stage for motorcycles, out of respect for Paulo and his family, and because we didn't have the head or the spirit to compete.” he assured.
Laia Sanz, affected by the death of who was her teammate in the Honda HRC Team in 2015, and the rest of the motorcycle squad continue on Monday at the Wadi Al-Dawasir camp, where the eighth day of competition should begin and end.
This Monday, the Catalan took advantage of the team's physiotherapist to prepare her body for tomorrow's day, the longest in terms of total mileage with 886 kilometers, of which 410 will be timed, between Wadi Al-Dawasir and Haradh.
In sports, the pilot of Soficat Xerox and GasGas will start the day installed in the 18th position of the general classification, 2 hours, 52 minutes and 56 seconds from the leader, Ricky Brabec, and 20 minutes from the 'Top 15', his goal .