Giniel De Villiers: "I'm still a bit rusty"

Dakar 2022 | Prologue | ALULA > ALULA
January 1 ^st 2022 - 12:25 [GMT + 3]

Giniel De Villiers was the tenth fastest driver in the qualifying stage, fifty seconds behind the winner, his Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah. He acknowledged that the agitation of the last few days took its toll on his performance in the opener.

"I just wanted a clean stage. We almost hit a big rock on a turn, we had to be on the lookout in this mountainous part. I'm still a bit rusty and in need of finding my pace, but I'm happy with my first performance. The turmoil due to my COVID test took a toll and I think I'm going to need a couple of days to see clear again and be back at 100%. One thing is for sure, this wasn't an easy start."