Eduard Pons and Jaume Betriu continue their comeback in the Dakar 2025. In the first part of the marathon stage, the Catalan team demonstrated its competitiveness by finishing seventh in the Challenger category, its best result of this edition, which allows them to move up to ninth place overall. The classification of the day has left a bittersweet aftertaste to the team from Lleida, who would have fought for the podium of the stage, but for two punctures that have delayed them.
With 415 kilometers timed, the route between Al Henakiyah and Al-Ula has been particularly demanding, with volcanic stone terrains that have tested both the driving and the resistance of the Taurus T3 Max of the Nasser Racing structure. The Pons Rallysport has managed to maintain a good pace throughout the day, but his performance has been marred by punctures. The first was suffered near kilometer 60 and the second at 385 km, just when he was running in third position. Even so, he completed the stage in 5 hours and 20 minutes, less than two minutes behind the sixth-placed rider and 12 minutes behind the first.
“It was a tough day, with moments of very good pace, but the punctures have conditioned us and left us with the feeling that we could have been higher. Even so, the car responded well, which allows us to be optimistic for what is to come. Reaching the last sector in third position shows that, when everything falls into place, we can fight with the best”, says the driver.
The level of demand of this Dakar is marking each day. From the initial mechanical problems to the punctures suffered in the last two stages, Pons Rallysport has had to overcome numerous setbacks. In addition, both Pons and Betriu have overcome a flu that affected them in the first days of competition.
With the engine problem solved - a pressure leak in the turbo - and the crew physically recovered, the duo has been able to better exploit the potential of the vehicle. However, the challenge of the marathon stage does not end there: with no mechanical assistance at the bivouac, they will have to repair the tires themselves before the fifth stage in order to have spare parts in case of new punctures.
“Today was the first day that the engine gave its full performance. The team found the problem and was able to fix it, which allowed us to ride with more confidence. In addition, Jaume and I are already feeling good physically. Tonight it will be important to leave everything ready in the bivouac to go out tomorrow to give the maximum in the second part of the marathon stage and continue climbing positions in the general standings”.
This Thursday 9th Eduard Pons and Jaume Betriu have ahead of them the second part of the marathon stage, in which they will have to cover the route between Al-Ula and Ha'il, with a total of 492 km, 428 of them against the clock. A day in which it will be crucial to find a balance between maintaining a high speed and taking care of the mechanics, especially considering the condition of the Taurus' wheels.
Automatic translation of the Spanish version
Source: Pons Rallysport / Mediagé Comunicación
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