Nº 19
Who’s likely to win this time out? The current title-holders are Stéphane Peterhansel (above, car), Toby Price (bike) and Gerard de Rooy (truck). But watch out for Sébastien Loeb, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Carlos Sainz in the cars, Sam Sunderland and Matthias Walkner on the bikes and the spectacular Kamaz trucks.
Where do I sleep? BIVOUAC RULE 1: Rocky ground for your pop-up tent is better than a bed an hour’s drive away. RULE 2: Avoid hotspots like toilets, showers and food distribution centres. RULE 3: Avoid big teams as they attract a lot of attention. RULE 4: Avoid gentlemen drivers/riders as they often spend the night fettling their hard-pressed charges. RULE 5: Avoid generators. RULE 6: Avoid jolly people. RULE 7: Basically, avoid everyone.
Nº 20
What’s the food like? There’s pasta, rice, vegetables, meat and fish, plus dessert and salad. There’s also a packed lunch with tinned foods, plus water and soft drinks.
Nº 21
HOW AM I GOING TO SLEEP? Nº 22
Badly. 43