Nani Roma: The Dakar – More Than a Race

In just over three week’s time, the flag drops on motorsport’s most extreme test of man and machine. A brutal 9,000km of dirt and dunes tracking across the entire width of Latin America, from Buenos Aires in Argentina to Iquique in Chile and back again, is the route for the 2015 edition of the legendary Dakar Rally.

In 2014 winner Nani Roma’s eyes it is the last big challenge in motorsport, and the fact that you only get one shot a year at locking down the ultimate off-road prize, adds to the test.

At the last edition, the Spanish Monster Energy rally raid driver scorched to victory in his X-raid prepped Monster Energy Mini ALL4 Racing machine, denying ‘Mr Dakar’ Stéphane Peterhansel a record 12th overall win. Now, even with a motorcycle (2004) and a car class Dakar title to his name, his appetite to conquer the ultimate off-road endurance race again, is stronger than ever.

We caught up with Nani at his home in the foothills just outside Barcelona to get an idea on just what the Dakar means to him, and how psyched he is to take the fight to the competition. Hit play on edit below.