Joan Pedrero is hoping to help his team-mate Marc Coma towards another Dakar Rally triumph. Joan tells us about his job of Marc’s support rider and the Dakar’s steep learning curve...
The 2012 Dakar Rally is getting closer and closer and now I just can’t wait to get going in Argentina. There’s really nothing much left to do in these final days except keep on with the training schedule, work on my navigation and examine some small technical details on the bike.
The team took a recent trip to Morocco and we carried out tests in conditions similar to what we expect to find at the Dakar. We had good fun over in Morocco, some of the things we do can get a bit repetitive but the mechanics are always keeping us laughing.
I entered my first two Dakar races as a private rider but this will be my second year with a fully supported team. The race is completely different when you have a team behind you. Now I’m part of Marc Coma’s team I have the help of a physiotherapist, a nutritionist and a physical trainer before we even think about the professional work that gets done on the bike. When you ride with Marc everything about the team is designed for victory.
'Success at the 2012 Dakar for me would be to help Marc win his fourth title'
Being around this winning mentality has helped me to improve as a rider. Not only am I faster than ever before but I have also learned the value of being consistent and finishing every race I enter. The Dakar is a marathon race and you need to be smart when deciding the times you should push and when you should reduce your pace.
I’ve also picked up so many navigation tips that are vitally important for a successful Dakar. There are these little details we use to mark each roadbook that help us to stay on track. At the last Dakar I learned a new trick everyday and I expect it will be the same this time.
Assisting Marc is my number one priority during the Dakar. To make sure I can do my job I must stay as close to him as possible during the stage. If Marc needs help changing a tyre I must be right there to lend a helping hand.
Success at the 2012 Dakar for me would be to help Marc win his fourth title. As long as I can help Marc into first place I will have done my job. Last year’s performance was perfect, Marc won and I finished fifth, the same again would be a fine result.
Give your support to Joan at Red Bull’s dedicated Dakar Rally event page
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