"Dakar is always difficult," says Ales Loprais as he heads to Peru

Ales Loprais and his team are leaving for Peru on the last day of 2018. Due to a time zone difference, they are going to spend the New Year already at the site of the famous Rally Dakar. Is the 2019 edition going to be the toughest one yet?

"It's definitely going to be difficult. Navigation through the sand is alwayschallenging. It's also going to be the slowest one because sand isn't as fast as a track. Is it going to be tough? Dakar is never easy, but that is what it makes the toughest rally. But we won't know more until we're in Peru, because we haven't been told much just yet," said Ales Loprais just before leaving for the race.

Once the Instaforex Loprais Team arrives, it all begins. First, the acclimatisation, then collecting all the racing equipment and also some testing.

"Just before Dakar, I went to Dubai for some testing - with a normal car that was modified for the desert. We also need to test The Queen if everything isworking properly after four weeks on the sea. And then the longest week full of paperwork, briefings and sorting out the last details. I never like this 'calm before the storm' thing. But then, on 6th January, the waiting will be over and the Dakar begins.".