Joan Barreda: “What’s most important is to have a good rhythm”

Dakar 2022 | Stage 8 | AL DUWADIMI > HAIL
January 10 ^th 2022 - 13:41 [GMT + 3]

Despite his injured collar bone, “Bang Bang” is not giving up!

“It was really difficult at the beginning with a lot of sand. For me it was difficult with my suspension which is a little bit softer. I jumped a dune and I crashed. It was difficult to continue at a high rhythm, but I tried to keep pushing. It was a good day, but at the end, about 50 km from the end, I made a mistake and lost about ten or twelve minutes. We are happy, but it could be better. Tomorrow is another day and we’ll try to make it another good day. Now it’s closer in front, but what’s most important is to have a good rhythm. Anything can happen because there are still four days left, with a lot of navigation on really demanding stages. What is important is to keep focused and stay strong. My shoulder was feeling better today but in the dunes I had a crash and I felt completely hurt around the collar bone with a lot of pain for a few minutes. I tried to carry on and keep focused until refuelling and I tried to continue with a good rhythm”.