Jane Daniels: undisputed queen of Dakar 2024
24/01/2024
Lisa Cavalli
After two weeks of racing, Team Fantic Racing celebrates three bikes at the finish. For those of us who have been following it every day, the winner is undoubtedly Jane Daniels, who shines in terms of skill and team spirit.
Jane Daniels, awarded as the best performer of the ‘Dakar Spirit’, also won the women’s category, 48th in the stage and overall:
“I am really happy. Happy to be at the finish line in one piece. It’s the hardest race I’ve ever run: exhausting both physically and mentally. It’s my first Dakar, I didn’t really know what to expect, but I gave my best every day. I won the women’s category, but I also wanted a good placing. The bike went very well. The Dakar is a race that conquers you, we’ll see each other again”.
For being her first Dakar, Jane managed to keep her nerves and a good pace. The day that will go down in history was the stage on 15 January, Al Duwadimi – Ha Il SS 458 km – Liaison: 220 km.
The Dakar is a rollercoaster ride. Jeremy Miroir got off to a good start on special stage eight and everything was going well both in the dunes and in the stone part after the neutralisation. However, with 60km to go, a stone hit the crankcase and oil leaked out. For a moment Jeremy thought the worst, but luckily Jane Daniels was right behind and pulled him along with a rope for the 60km special and the 95km transfer.
Together they validated all the checkpoints, minimising the damage. Miroir finished 33rd overall, Daniels, 52nd, losing only one overall position.
“It wasn’t the stage we thought it would be, but these are the races and we did it! Jeremy had a problem so I towed him for 60km in the special and 95km in the liaison to Ha Il. I am also exhausted because it was tiring to tow Jeremy over rocks and stones.
The next day, arriving at the bivouac, the good news of the day: Jane Daniels receives the ‘Dakar Spirit’ medal. The video in which she pulled her team-mate in trouble with a bike problem with a rope went around the world and best interprets the spirit of support. brotherhood and sisterhood that makes this sport unique.
“Happy with this award, even though it was tough physically. We even crashed a couple of times on the way!”
After receiving the award, Jane Daniels answered a few questions.
Congratulations, first of all. How are you feeling?
“I am tired, but so far so good. The rally was a lot more tiring than I expected, both physically, with so many hours on the bike, and mentally. Focus on the roadbook has to be constant and at the same time you have to look forward to the terrain. Right now I am very tired, but we are getting closer to our goal: the finish line in Yanbu’.
It is your first Dakar
“I have learnt a lot, especially about navigation, gaining experience on waypoints, when they open and when they close. I like it a lot.”
How did you find yourself on the dunes?
“I feel more comfortable on the rocks and I learnt a lot about driving on the dunes. You have to read them and I don’t know how you can go so fast without knowing what’s behind you. It’s definitely the fruit of a lot of training in the desert.
What were the main challenges?
“Mainly navigation accuracy. I was forced to follow the notes and not someone’s tracks. Secondly, the dunes”.
Do you have time to enjoy the scenery?
“During the stage you are completely concentrated. You only get a glimpse of the fantastic landscape on the transfer sections.”
Did you expect to win the Dakar Spirit award on your debut?
“It was a surprise. I was just a good teammate. I didn’t think I did a good job when Jeremy fell behind me! I felt really bad… (smiles). I’m happy that we managed to finish and both of us are still in the race. Besides, I only lost one position in the overall standings (P52).”
Source: Fantic Racing
Photos: Fantic
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