“There’s going to be a lot of sand! I think they’ve drawn the best of the possibilities that the countryside we’re crossing has to offer. It’s enough to look at the route in Mauritania: we’re going to explore practically every corner of the country! In addition it’s the country that will tip the balance. I think the difficulty will come from the marathon stages because it worries us a little just the same to know that we’ll have to do more than 1000 kilometres with our cars, and above all with the same tyres that were made first and foremost for racing! I think it’s going to be a real Dakar, a Dakar for the tough. That’s what we’re there for! We’re going to fight it out at the front. Frankly I believe we have a good chance. But it’s not going to be a bed of roses for anyone!”