DIRT NEWS
project manager , Javi Echevarria . “ But we as a team know what exactly that is that drives Pol , to do exactly what no one thinks possible . It was really a team effort – and would have been impossible without everyone involved .” The target was to ascend Ojos del Salado , the highest volcano on earth , the second-highest mountain in the Andes and the highest summit in Chile . Several other athletes have attempted to conquer this uninhabitable place , with its steep rock inclines , scree slopes and snow drifts , yet none have enjoyed the same success as Tarrés and Yamaha thus far . Having learned important lessons from the previous attempt , Tarrés and the entire TRECE Racing Society Team took two weeks to acclimatise in the Andes Mountain range . Even with Tarrés in peak physical condition , the altitude is a force that humbles most humans and altitude sickness was a constant companion for the team during the acclimatisation process .
After acclimatising , Tarrés and the team started to explore potential routes to conquer the mountain , utilizing both the YZ450FX and the Ténéré to complete this reconnaissance phase , whilst also dealing with disruption caused by unexpected snowfall . The weather also played a significant role in dictating the timing of the record attempt . With high winds forecast , the team were forced to accelerate their plans . Due to the snowfall , the routes to the West and Central summits were rendered impassable , so the highest summit and principal crater of the volcano became the goal chosen by the team . Starting from Refugio Murray at 4522 metres , Tarrés and the Ténéré reached the record altitude in only 50 minutes . “ Above 6000 metres everything seems to go super slow , the physical exhaustion is indescribable and there is no room for mistakes ,” commented Tarrés . ” Even walking is a challenge , let alone riding this altitude ” One problem encountered on the previous record-setting expedition in 2022 was that of fuel consumption , which is significantly increased at altitude than at sea level . For the most recent attempt at the record , this issue was addressed with the GYTR kit , specifically the GYTR ECU assembly and extra fuel capacity , which allowed Tarrés to ride for longer without the need to refuel . The GYTR parts from the second stage ( the handling kit ), including the more rugged Haan Wheels , KYB 48mm front fork and Paioli rear suspension unit . The mental , physical , and mechanical challenges faced by Tarrés and his team during this testing challenge cannot easily be conveyed , so to tell the full story of this endeavour , the TRECE Racing Society and Yamaha Motor Europe have collaborated on a documentary , to be premièred at the end of this year , that will take viewers on the same incredible journeys on which Tarrés embarked on both 2022 and 2024 .
20 KIWI RIDER