“I would love to get my hands on the Bedouin trophy after all these years”

Martin Kolomy will once again be among the favourites in the trucks category as he gears up for a ninth participation in the Dakar. Czech giants Tatra have been chasing overall victory since the legendary Karel Loprais won his sixth and final title in 2001 -and team leader Kolomy could well be the man to deliver. Having started the Dakar as a mechanic and rapid assistance driver, the 44-year-old made his debut in 2010, and achieved an impressive fifth-place finish in 2013. Martin and new mechanic Jiri Stross enjoyed an excellent run at this year's Silk Way Rally, and were the only ones keeping pace with the blue armada of Kamaz until they ran into trouble in the Chinese dunes. The team have ironed out a few kinks with their all-new Phoenix 2.0, and will be hoping for a successful lift-off between Lima and Cordoba. More importantly, Martin will be keeping a close eye on the sausage rations! After all, it's vital to keep up your strength on the gruelling tracks of the Dakar...

“Our participation in this summer's Silk Way was essentially preparation for the Dakar, although I have to say it was one of the toughest races I’ve ever taken part in. Our technology wasn’t spared either, so we’ve been working on the truck a lot since then. I think the Phoenix 2.0 is capable of winning the Dakar, but only if everything turns out as expected and we avoid major technical trouble. The truck is not the only thing that counts, of course. On the Dakar, you also need a functioning crew and a little bit of luck. Rosta already has some experience in rally races and the Dakar -although not directly with trucks - but I believe in him, while Jirka and I did the Silk Way and we worked well together. I always try to have the most demanding goals, so I want to fight for overall victory! I would love to get my hands on the Bedouin trophy after all these years. There are never enough sausages so I have to supervise the stock myself. Everybody will get some, of course, but the portions have to be rationed!”