Step behind the scenes with ‘In The Dust,’ a roving studio show where the Dakar Rally 2024 extends beyond the designated route. Discover the human side of the Dakar as athletes candidly share their perspectives, challenges, triumphs, and untold stories amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Saudi Arabia. Here is all you need to know:
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Episode 2: The Dakar Rivalry and Brotherhood of Desert Kings Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah
While the 46th edition of the Dakar Rally roars to life, two titans of the desert, Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah, take a seat for the second episode of ‘In The Dust,’ offering a rare peek into their storied history, intense competition, and enduring camaraderie.
“We have been good friends for a long time,” says Carlos. “We have been teammates in Volkswagen, and have been fighting for Dakar titles many, many times.”
Nasser candidly shares his admiration for Carlos, recalling: “We met at the Dakar Rally in 2006. But I always saw Carlos on television. I watched him race for a long time, from his days in the World Rally Championship with Toyota, where he won the world championship title, even before I knew what rally was.”
His dream of racing alongside the Spanish legend came to fruition in 2010 when they joined forces as Volkswagen teammates. Their initial union marked the beginning of a rivalry that culminated in a nail-biting finish, with only 2 minutes and 12 seconds separating Carlos and Nasser.
“I didn’t have anything to lose,” admits Nasser. “I thought, ‘If I beat my idol, that would be something extreme. And if I don’t beat him, it will be no problem because I will finish second.'”
Carlos secured the Dakar title that year, and spurred by genuine competition, Nasser set his sights on surpassing his inspiration the following year, humorously remarking: “I kept telling myself, ‘I have a target, I need to beat him.’ But racing together was really amazing. He made my level go very high. In 2010 I finished second behind him, but in 2011 I won.”
Reflecting on their unique relationship during the Dakar, the Qatari continues: “We had a lot of fun during the race, and sometimes we would fight. We are crazy, you know? But when we finished the race, we shook hands and we talked, asking each other what happened, where we’d get lost, and how many punctures we had. This is something you cannot find in any other sport, not even in Formula One.”
Carlos echoes this sentiment of mutual respect and brotherhood among drivers: “When we finish the stage and see all the times, we know what the others are doing. And when you fight for the Dakar title for as many years as we have, you need to respect [your opponents] – you know how much effort, risk, and how much everything you put into that race. So when you see that another guy is faster, you need to respect him.”
Despite his extensive racing experience, Carlos acknowledges the importance of ongoing learning and his dedication to it. Invaluable lessons on how to be a better driver don’t just stem from his own past mistakes; they also come from observing others: “I learned from everybody. You always learn from good people, and I respect a lot what they have done. We know each other, the risk we are taking, what we are doing, and I always try to learn from the best.”
“..and still, we are learning!”, adds Nasser.
After 20 years of Dakar rallies for Nasser and 18 for Carlos, one can only wonder what compels these two giants to keep coming back for more.
“We love the Dakar,” says Nasser. “What is it, Carlos? He didn’t think he would enjoy it, but he never retired. And I asked him many times. I said, ‘Stop now, stop now!'”
Laughter fills the studio, and soon after, Carlos acknowledges the joy derived from the race. “At the end of the day, we’re here because we’re having fun. If that wasn’t true, I wouldn’t be here at my age,” he concludes.
In the second episode of ‘In The Dust’, Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah demonstrate that within the Dakar’s realm of fierce competition, inspiration is not just about following but also surpassing, and that genuine fellowship can not only exist but thrive.
Episode 1: Experiencing the Dakar Thrill with Toby Price and Sam Sunderland
As the inaugural guests on ‘In The Dust,’ Dakar champions Toby Price and Sam Sunderland transport us into the heart of the Dakar Rally, attempting to convey an experience that’s hard to put into words.
“It’s an adventure. It’s hard to explain to people what you see in the races out here and when you’re on the route. But some of the landscapes you get to see are unbelievable, it’s crazy. We’re pretty lucky and it’s pretty special to have that. At the same time, you’re pretty on edge, running at your limit, and stressing about the day just to make sure you get a good stage.”
Toby and Sam, who have known each other for about 10 years, share the same camper throughout the event. Their unique bond adds a layer of camaraderie to the Dakar experience, where riders and drivers showcase a blend of competitive spirit and mutual respect. “We don’t actually race on a track, doing lap after lap, like sending it down the inside of each other or block passing each other like MotoGP,” Sam explains.
Toby chimes in: “It’s not so cutthroat in the desert. You’ve got plenty of room to play and get around, and sometimes you do find a guy that comes a little too close, and you have a bit of a clash together. But it’s not like a motocross track. We’re not trying to kill each other and go for gold. It’s a long race, we’re going to pace ourselves out a little bit.”
The dynamics differ significantly from other races, as in the Dakar, the challenge lies not against fellow riders but against the relentless forces of nature. As Sam puts it: “It’s your best time against the desert and his best time against the desert.”
Toby adds: “For sure, at the end of the day, we both want to win – and if we can get the chance to do it, we’re going to take it as best we can. But when we get into the camper things are different. A perfect example, it was 2019 when I had my broken wrist after four days. I wanted to go home, and he [Sam] was the one that was forcing me to go out the door and keep going, saying, ‘You got it, keep moving.’ And vice versa. We always try to back off each other a little bit, we ride for two different brands, but we’re both Red Bull, and we fight to get to the finish.”
Reflecting on how the rally unfolds, Toby succinctly captures the essence: “Chaos and carnage.” Sam expands on that, recounting days filled with dodging animals, facing scary moments, getting lost, and experiencing crashes. “There’s no chance anybody, no matter how well you prepare, can race for like 9,000 kilometres without having a drama,” Sam emphasises.
Despite the numerous hurdles, there are days when competitors ride for hours without seeing another soul. “Those days are quite boring, that’s mentally challenging. That’s the hardest part of the whole race,” Toby admits, giving us a glimpse into the solitude that amplifies the mental fortitude required.
Yet, this solitude may also present a safety concern. “You go to a Formula One track or a supercross, motocross track, anything like that. There’re people at your side within 10-15 seconds,” Toby points out the contrast with more controlled environments. “Whereas if we have something go wrong, it’s going to be 15-20 minutes at least before help or anyone arrives to get to you. So, you run on the edge and you’re gambling the whole time.”
As the rally stars delve into the motivations that bring them back to the desert year after year, Toby says with profound simplicity: “It’s just the adventure of it. We run a high risk of things going wrong. But I just like to come out, hang out with this bloke [Sam], stir him up, and get to ride a motorcycle. That’s my job. And it’s pretty much a dream come true.”
Sam contemplates their shared journey: “It’s like asking a marathon runner if they are having a good time at kilometre 41, and they’re suffering, they’re covered in sweat and their legs hurt. They’re having a horrible time at that moment – as we will for the next two weeks. But you add so much value to the result by going through all that suffering. So when you achieve the result that you want, whether it’s a win or finishing, it means that much more to you.”
In this first episode of ‘In The Dust,‘ Toby Price and Sam Sunderland lay bare the soul of the Dakar Rally – a thrilling adventure beyond the races, a camaraderie thriving amidst chaos, and a passionate pursuit of triumph against the expansive canvas of the Saudi desert.
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