A rookie gets a veteran's help for 2011 Dakar Rally

Jordi Arcarons, 48, left professional competition behind in 2002, but he remains the Spaniard with most stage wins under his belt in his category at the Dakar rally. Over the past few years he has worked as manager for Dakar riders such as Nani Roma and Marc Coma, working in particular to prepare their route maps. But on Saturday, wrapped up in blue leathers despite the hot Buenos Aires afternoon, he rode into the Obelisco square, on a Honda that the Barcelona-born 48-year-old will be using to drive through the jungle and the desert.

He is returning to compete once more, taking part in this year's Dakar rally, which will take in a 9,500 kilometer route through Argentina and Chile.

It's been a tough return, however, Arcarons having put in two hours in the gym every day over the past couple of months. He has also been in the hands of a personal trainer and dietician.

"I was carrying too much weight to compete," he explains. "I have lost six kilos, but I've not managed to lose any years," he joked.

The blame for him having got back on a bike lies at the door of Laia Sanz, the 25-year-old 10-time world trial bike champion, who has decided to take on the challenge of Dakar.

"My only motivation to be here is to be able to take Laia. I think I will be able to do a lot for her," said Arcarons, who will act as backpacker for the young Barcelona native.

Although she was already fit enough for the Dakar, her training also had to take a different route. When she finished the women's trial world championships, which was her main objective for last year, she began a special plan in the gym, focusing more on stamina, given that the rally is a lot more challenging physically. Also, of course, she is not used to spending as much time on the bike as she will need to at the Dakar. She has also had to strengthen her neck muscles, due to the heavier weight of the helmet she will have to wear.

Speaking at Saturday's celebratory opening event in Buenos Aires, Sanz confessed that she was nervous before the first day of the competition, which got going on Sunday. She had dinner with the members of her team, and then was off to bed, "10 minutes before the bells rang for new year." But she could not sleep.

Her parents are no doubt worried for their daughter, who turned 25 on December 11. "They have told me to stay calm, and to take it slow," she explained. "My mother is the most nervous. But my father is the one who is really conscious of what it is I'm going to do." His parting advice? "To keep a cool head and start the year off well."

The only thing that she is worried about is making mistakes. Something Arcarons will be there to try and prevent.