“I had two fractures, I had to say goodbye to the Dakar”
The 2011 Dakar was a setback in the promising rally-raid career of Leonid Novistkiy. In four previous Dakars, the Russian had finished in the top 25 in the car category: first in a Nissan, then a Mitsubishi in Africa, before joining the BMW X-Raid Team for the new South American adventures. Last year was an unlucky return to competition that condemned Novistkiy's hope for glory, when an injured wrist forced him to drop out. He was 7th overall at the time. He scored a personal best 8th place finish in 2009. This year the Russian businessman will team once again with veteran Andreas Schulz, winner in 2001 with Jutta Kleinschmidt, and in 2003 with Masuoka. Winner of this year's World Rally-Raid Cup, the 43-year old driver has gained full confidence in his Mini with which he won the Tunisia Rally. The only glitch in his preparation for the Dakar was a retirement due to a mechanical problem in Morocco.
“I participated in my first Dakar in 2007. I really understood why millions of people consider this to be the most extreme and most difficult rally. We finished 20th that year and we were the top amateur team. Last year, when we arrived to my favourite terrain, the desert, blinded by dust, I hit a hole and I suddenly felt incredible pain in my left hand. It began to swell. When we made it to the bivouac, the x-rays showed I had two fractures. I had to say goodbye to the Dakar. This year we are expecting an intense battle with our main rivals, Team Gordon, the Mitsubishis and the new Toyota. In addition, the Peruvian leg looks to be delicate and the risks of errors will be multiplied. We will have to remain completely focused just until the final kilometre.”
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