Laia Sanz is a legend: she makes history after finishing her eleventh Dakar Rally 2021

Laia Sanz has made history on the Dakar. Very few pilots are capable like her of finishing up to eleven editions of the mythical race; in the motorcycle category, only she has achieved it in Spain. The 35-year-old Catalan rider has finished 17th in an edition full of personal obstacles that have not been able to stop her. They are already eight consecutive editions, remaining among the 20 best drivers in the Dakar. In 2020 he managed to do ten out of ten: finish the ten editions of the legendary Dakar race. Very few riders manage to reach that record and in Spain it was the first to finish the legendary race on a motorcycle so many times. But at 35, far from putting her foot on the brakes, Laia wanted more and went to a new edition of the Dakar, which for the second year in a row took place in Saudi Arabia. The Catalan, born in Corbera in 1985, did not have an easy road. Laia arrived at this last Dakar with little preparation due to a wrist injury that she dragged from the 2020 test and that took five months to heal. As if that were not enough, when after confinement he got back on the motorcycle, he noticed strange symptoms, with dizziness and fatigue. In September the cause was found: he had Lyme disease, caused by a tick bite. Then he began a treatment with antibiotics for months, but the adrenaline of getting back on the bike and competing made him overcome all obstacles and go out to enjoy, without pressure, after everything he had experienced. Although months ago she did not even see herself capable of completing a stage, Laia Sanz has added a new edition of the Dakar concluded by dodging dunes and all kinds of obstacles to make eleven out of eleven and finish in a creditable 17th place. See this post on InstagramA publication shared by Laia Sanz (@ laiasanz_85) The one from Gas Gas has extended the absolute record as the driver who has reached the goal the most times in a row among the Spanish in the Dakar. The Catalan has managed to finish among the top 20 in the last eight editions of the event, with her best position, ninth, in 2015 and has always conquered the women’s category. Upcoming challenges A true legend in trial and enduro, Laia Sanz wants to continue still enjoying new adventures. After making eleven out of eleven on the Dakar, the Catalan already has her next challenge in mind: getting on all four wheels. He will do it hand in hand with Carlos Sainz, with whom he will form a team in the Extreme E. The alliance comes under the name of Acciona Sainz XE Team, together they will race in the new Extreme E racing series. the first edition of one of the most extreme rallies and in which only 100% electric SUV cars will compete.