"(They were) third in '98, second in '99, and they could win it this year," says race director Mark Burnett.

After three Eco-Challenges together, the relatively young team (average age: 28) has earned the respect of other competitors. "Red Bull-Playstation from Spain is extremely tough ... boy, they're fast on bikes and on land," said Billy Mattison, captain of Team Vail, another top squad.

Quokka Sports spoke with team captain Antonio de la Rosa, 30, before the race. The Madrid resident and professional fireman is confident about his team's chances, but worried about infection and disease in the jungle.

Quokka Sports: I was speaking with other teams and many said that your team is the best.
Antonio de la Rosa: One of the best? Well the truth is that we are very relaxed because we do not feel at all pressured about being one of the favorites. We have a year of preparation. We are going with much anticipation to Borneo. We hope that everything goes well and that we have a bit of luck and with our physical preparation we do not feel at all pressured. Last year we ran with an unknown athlete and we came in second. This year we will once again be running with Nerea (Martinez Urruzola), with whom we ran in Morocco. We hope that all goes well.

Quokka Sports: What teams will provide the most competition in Borneo?
Antonio de la Rosa: I think that the strong teams are the teams of John Howard, one of the favorites (Team Fairydown Fleed CookieTime), the Ian Adamson Salomon/Eco-Internet team, with Mike Kloser and Robyn Benincasa, and the team from France, Team Spie. They are also a very strong team.

Quokka Sports: Many speak of Team Spie.
Antonio de la Rosa: Two participants from Team Spie won the Raid Gauloises two years ago and this year they were second. In reality Team Spie has never really done anything together before. Two members from Team Spie and two members from Team Intersport have gotten together (for the Eco-Challenge). The team is not really Team Spie, but two members from Intersport and two from Team Spie. It's a great fusion.

Quokka Sports: Going into the race, is there anything that you are afraid of?
Antonio de la Rosa: No. I would say that I am more concerned than afraid about the mosquitoes and the possible diseases. Malaria. I don’t think it concerns the participants as much as folks like you and the volunteers. But it is something that it is around you. It worries you because in reality even if you take the pills there are no guarantees that you won’t get sick. That is really the only thing that concerns us. Last year we ran in the Philippines (the Elf Authentic Adventure; Team Red Bull-Playstation was unable to complete the race) and we all had infections on our feet. The jungle is difficult.

Quokka Sports: Everyone had problems with their feet?
Antonio de la Rosa: Yes we did, because of the humidity. All of the teams did. One of the members had to be hospitalized because of his feet. It includes the rookies and the veterans. The infection respects no one.

Quokka Sports: What are you doing to prepare?
Antonio de la Rosa: The truth is that we have normal training. We have two training sessions a day. One in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a total of between 4-6 hours of training a day. We each train our weakest event. Each of us makes the most effort in the event in which we are weakest. For example the boys from Granada (brothers Jose and Miguel Torres Lopez) are weakest on kayak so they train the most on the kayak.

Quokka Sports: Tell me more about the boys from Granada.
Antonio de la Rosa: They are very good triathletes and have great orienteering skills. They have been on the national orienteering team. They train less on these events and more on the other events where they are weaker.

Quokka Sports: Miguel is a teacher?
Antonio de la Rosa: Yes he is a teacher. He is a grade school physical education teacher.

Quokka Sports: What about you?
Antonio de la Rosa: I have been a fireman for 10 years. I am still a fireman.

Quokka Sports: What is the key to winning the Eco-Challenge?
Antonio de la Rosa: I think that a mutual understanding amongst the members of the team. Amongst all the members of the team. We know each other very well and above all else we are all good friends. That is very important, especially during the hard times.