Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team of Hélder Rodrigues, Adrien Van Beveren, Alessandro Botturi and Rodney Faggotter are geared up to take on the 2017 Dakar Rally in Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina.
All four official riders will set off for their two-week-long adventure in South America aboard Yamaha’s WR450F Rally machine under the guidance of team manager José Leloir and sport manager Jordi Arcarons.
Following an impressive sixth place result during his first participation at the Dakar Rally in 2016, Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team’s Adrien Van Beveren will be looking to get even closer to the top next January.
“I’m really looking forward to this Dakar. Last year I learned a lot so now I feel it’s time for me to use this experience to my advantage. The race is super long and my goal is to stay concentrated until the very last moment. Physically I’m probably in the best condition I’ve ever been and mentally I feel I’m very strong as well. I’m more mature and more confident to get out there and battle for the top. I’m approaching this Dakar with both feet on the ground. I know I’m fast but that’s not the most important thing out there. What’s important for me is to avoid mistakes and keep pushing to be the best I can be until the last metres. If everything goes according to plan, I know I can to reach the top.”
Set to enter his sixth Dakar Rally next January, Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team’s Alessandro Botturi will be looking to make his 2017 outing the most successful of his rally racing career. Working hard to return to full fitness following his injury during last year’s event, the Italian has been gradually building on his speed with the goal to be 100% ready to give his all on January 2.
“I feel that the 2017 Dakar is probably my best chance ever to show what I’m capable of at the event. Last year I was assigned with the task to assist Hélder whenever he needed my help. But that’s all in the past as for 2017 I will be riding my own race from start to finish. My goal is simple and I want to finish each and every stage inside the top 10. I know that if I remain focused on this goal I might end up getting a very good overall position at the end of the race. We have an amazing atmosphere within the team and the new WR450F Rally is extra powerful and super reliable. Now it’s all down to us to prove what we’re capable of.”
The Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team is completed by Rodney Faggoter, with the Australian looking to make the most of his experience in multi-stage racing in order to assist the team and get as close as possible to the top. Joining the squad during the 2016 OiLibya Morocco Rally, Rodney immediately showed he will be a strong asset in the team’s efforts to bring the WR450F Rally close to the top of the event’s final standings.
“I’ve worked really hard during the past few months and I can’t wait to take on this amazing challenge. The goal is simple – I just want to do my best to assist my teammates while also giving my all for a good final result. This will be my third participation at the Dakar and I’m glad to be surrounded by such a professional team. The atmosphere within is great, we have an amazing bike and I believe we’re in the best position to make amends for all the hard work and sacrifices we’ve all been making for the past few months.”
Starting January 2, the 39th Dakar Rally will see 146 motorcycles, 37 quads and 10 UTV vehicles set off for an 8,818km adventure [8,823km for UTVs] in the heart of South America. After an opening stage in Paraguay, competitors will cross the northern part of Argentina and enter Bolivia. Racing at an altitude of more than 3,000 metres for more than a week, they will return to Argentina and start descending towards Buenos Aires. The event’s finish is set to take place on January 14.
