Training on the sand

Rafał Sonik couldn’t live long without driving his quad. With the new World Cup season looming ahead, he went off to train at his favourite desert – Empty Quarter in the United Arab Emirates.

‘This is the most beautiful desert in the world. In particular at the sunrise and the sunset, when the light reveals all recesses and static waves of the dunes stretching far into the horizon. There is no better place to get ready for the new season,’ said the six-times winner of the World Cup.

This place is not a random place, of course. It is the United Arab Emirates that will be the venue of the first round of the new series. Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge begins on 1 April, so Rafał Sonik must choose… his quad by the end of March.

‘Usually, I drive my Honda during the first two desert rounds. Mainly because of the independent rear suspension and a larger gap. However, most of my rivals drive Raptors – and I use them in Chile, in Morocco, and during Dakar. I decided to test both machines and perhaps I’ll drive Yamaha throughout the entire season,’ said Sonik.

The 2015 Dakar winner has until 30 March to decide – this is when the administrative check-ups before Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge begin. Rafał Sonik has planned one more training on the desert. It is supposed to provide the final answer.