The JalanMarronesFenek team managed to overcome the previous stages despite running the truck with one piston down. If they complete the remaining three stages, they will finish the 2021 Dakar and officially become finishers!
As the 2021 Dakar edition nears its end, the final stages stand as the last barrier before earning the title of finisher. Stage 11, known among Dakar veterans as “the fearsome one,” will bring the dunes back in full force after several days without them—nearly 100 km that will test even the most experienced competitors.
JalanMarronesFenek Truck
Tenth Stage
If yesterday was a grueling day for the JalanMarronesFenek team—after clutch problems in their MAN truck caused them to arrive at the Neom bivouac in the early hours—today their luck changed completely, allowing them to enjoy one of their best performances so far in the race.
Our team delivered a flawless performance in the tenth stage. However, the already damaged truck faced new challenges that the team hadn’t anticipated: a fuel tank leak and a failing clutch that pushed the drivers’ and navigator’s skills to the limit.
Javier Jacoste: “We’re treating the truck with extreme care. Tomorrow will be very tough, so today we focused on preserving the mechanics and tires as much as possible. We only have two spare tires left, so we took it easy through the rougher sections. The strategy worked perfectly.”
The eleventh Dakar special will be the penultimate major obstacle before the Jalan Marrones team reaches the finish podium of the Saudi rally.
“We’re motivated and excited, although we know tomorrow will be a huge challenge for everyone,” said co-driver Lluís Rosa, who once again demonstrated his exceptional navigation skills under any circumstance.
JalanMarronesFenek Truck
Eleventh Stage
Stage 11, known among Dakar participants as “the feared one,” took its toll on the MAN No. 524, reducing its engine power so much that the team was unable to finish the stage but still managed to reach the Yanbu bivouac.
The Catalan team was already carrying the handicap of a broken piston, and with what seemed to be a new issue affecting the turbo, Jalan Marrones did their best to face what many considered the queen stage of this year’s Dakar.
With 464 timed kilometers featuring a massive chain of dunes, the special was a monumental challenge for Jacoste and his crewmates. After completing the first 150 km, they were forced to turn back and take the nearest road, following the alternative route until they reached the bivouac late at night.
Lluís Rosa: “It’s a shame, but without full engine power and in the dark, it was practically impossible to get through today’s dunes. We’ll now try to fix the problem—it might also be linked to the turbo. We need to check it carefully before heading out for tomorrow’s stage.”
The final special of the 2021 Dakar will take participants to the city of Jeddah, covering 225 timed kilometers and 227 liaison kilometers.
The final stage awaits!
TEAM POSING IN THE FINAL STAGE
Twelfth Stage
The JalanMarronesFenek team has achieved what once seemed impossible: finishing the Dakar Rally.
The odyssey of the Jalan Marrones team to reach the finish line in Jeddah after more than 7,500 km across Saudi Arabia has been nothing short of epic. Beyond the daily challenges and obstacles that define the world’s toughest race, the MAN No. 524 endured multiple mechanical setbacks that made the Catalan trio’s outstanding performance even more remarkable.
Lluís Rosa: “We set out to finish when everything was against us, and we did it. That’s the spirit of this incredible team. No matter how many breakdowns, problems, or challenges came our way, we always found the strength to overcome them. It has been an amazing experience, and we are very proud.”
For JalanMarronesFenek, today marks the end of their first and unforgettable Dakar adventure. In it, they found exactly what they were searching for before embarking on this thrilling journey: to live and embody the true Dakar spirit.
Lluís Rosa: “At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable.”
A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
