(smiles) We feel just as we deserve and as we had set up it. So, we feel nice.

In what shape did the truck and equipment arrive in Saudi Arabia?

The Lady was fine, as she was in a trailer. However, when we were picking up vehicles in the harbour, it took us a while to start up our motorhome. The harbour staff let the batteries on, and we lost over an hour because it was totally dead. It took a while to start it up, even using the cables. But in the end, we succeeded, and it was smooth after that.

How big was the final private test before the start? How much driving did you do during the shakedown?

On Tuesday, we did over 50 kilometres and then added another 10 kilometres the following day. We were figuring out some vibrations in the cabin, so we wanted to check if the changes had helped.

Can you tell us what has changed on the truck since last year’s Dakar?

Due to the new FIA regulations, we had to adjust the superstructure, exhaust pipes and the automated fire extinguishing system in the cabin. Also, working together with Roman Kresta, we changed the dampers and there is also a new software for the gearbox when we need to change gears manually. We didn’t want to do more than necessary because, I think, the car is competitive and works well. It’s our Lady that I know so well. More robust changes would mean more big question marks.

On Wednesday, you passed the second scrutineering checks, while the first ones took place before shipping already. Many teams had to deal with several discrepancies that the technical delegates discovered in Europe already. What about you?

There were a few things, but they were planned. For example, our cabin safety equipment. You never know what could happen during the transport and what some people might find interesting. So, we placed some equipment in more secure places. However, everything was in its place for Wednesday’s scrutineering.

What did you do between the shakedown and the Friday’s prologue?

We practiced wheel changes on time and equipped the cabin, as we traditionally put our personal items and some other necessities there after the scrutineerings. We’re also fine-tuning several details as we begin to focus on Friday’s prologue.

There was a line-up change before this year’s Dakar Rally, with Jiří Stross joining the crew as a cabin mechanic. But you know well each other because you did the Dakar Rally together in South America back in 2017. Does it mean that you already know what to expect from each other, or has a lot changed in those seven years, and you need to start all over again? Is it going to take a few stages to dwell well together? And is it easier for you to change a cabin mechanic rather than a navigator?

I’ll start with the last question. To me, changing a cabin mechanic is definitely easier than changing a navigator. With your navigator, you always need to be on the same wavelength. It’s often his decision where to drive and how fast. That position is incredibly important also in terms of the safety of the whole crew. So, I’m glad to have Jaroslav in our crew.

And about Jiří. We did a very challenging Dakar together when we had to overcome some very specific technical issues. That was a very valuable experience, thanks to which we’re definitely not starting all over again here.

The shakedown was very good, but still, we’re going into the first stage with caution. It’s going to be a very long competition, so from the start, we aim to do everything in the right way and to make sure that everything works well in the following days.

The atmosphere is very good. There are many new people with us, and I think you could relate that to refreshing the line-up of a hockey team. It’s always done to bring fresh energy, and that’s exactly the case here, too. You can feel the positive energy and a big passion, which is important.

I know you always take the official information about the Dakar route, that is being released during the year, with a pinch of salt. But I still have to ask: Do you think there is something about this year’s Dakar Rally that makes it the most difficult, challenging or the dustiest, or simply something to make it different this year?

I think it’s mostly about the number of kilometres. We never had to do so many of them since the move to Saudi Arabia. It’s going to be challenging even for the assistance crews, as there will be fewer loop stages in which the mechanics could rest. This year, they’re going to move between bivouacs more often and on longer distances. Even the move from Rub’ al Khali to bivouac, ahead of the rest day, will be something. We haven’t really had that in a long time.

Do you feel nervous before the start? Or as you are preparing for your eighteenth start, do you feel experienced enough and you do not feel it?

I don’t want to say that I don’t because somewhere deep inside, it’s always there. But I’m always much calmer after we go through the technical and administrative scrutineerings. To me, the most stressful part is when we need to pick up the truck in the harbour, we need to start it, do the shakedown and make sure that everything is alright after the long transport.

How many trucks do you think will be fighting for the victory this year?

In the closing stages, there can be very big differences between the crews. But I think it’s going to be close between two trucks. Now, before the start, I think there are five favourites, very close to each other. And you need to count with them. But considering how long this year’s Dakar is going to be, I would say even the tenth-best driver on the paper can think about winning. With such long rally, it’s not unlikely that instead of fighting for every minute, even the favourites can suddenly lose an hour or so in just a single stage. But we will see. It’s going to be long and challenging. And I’m going into it with my style and humility.

It looks like the first week already is going to be very challenging. And even the second part of the rally will not give you a break. How do you want to approach it? And how to balance the strength?

You can never win the Dakar Rally in its first stage, but you can lose it there. But you can also lose it in the penultimate or the final stage. That’s why you can’t predict anything ahead. You need to use your intuition, go one metre after another, and make the right decisions at every moment. My goal is not to chase stage victories but to approach it in a much more complex view. And, with God’s help, when we cross the finish line, we’ll be just as happy as we’re hoping to be.

Thank you and good luck!