Cristina Gutiérrez: “I pushed myself until the finish”

Dakar 2024 | Stage 12 | YANBU > YANBU
January 19 ^th 2024 - 13:18 [GMT + 3]

Having started 25 minutes behind Mitch Guthrie this morning, the Spanish rider took advantage of the American's mechanical problems to win the Challenger class. She becomes the first woman to win a Dakar title since Jutta Kleinschmidt.

“I always tried to fight until the finish. We didn’t know what had happened until the last kilometres. We pushed a lot on this stage because I knew that 25 minutes is a lot, but if something happens behind you, you never know. When I got to the finish, I didn’t know what had happened, but I’m very glad and proud of the team and happy with the car. For sure, I’m very happy. I have a special thought for all my family, all the kids in the hospital in Burgos because when I compete there always with me, as well as Carles Falcon, the Spanish guy who died on this Dakar. I am very happy with the victory and this is for all of them. One of my values is to never give up and always in the race I never gave up. I pushed myself until the finish. It’s the best finish possible and I want to say thanks to Red Bull, to Arnaud and to all the team for giving us this beautiful car”.