Rallye

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna duo set for Dakar challenge

Posted:

Wednesday, November 30th, 2016

9:30 PM

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna duo set for Dakar challenge

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team riders Pablo Quintanilla and Pela Renet are ready to take on the 39th running of the Dakar Rally ‰ÛÒ the world‰Ûªs most iconic rally raid event, which kicks of in AsunciÌ_n, Paraguay on January 2.

Together with experienced former racer turned rider consultant Ruben Faria, Quintanilla and Renet will take on what is expected to be one of the toughest Dakar Rallies in many years. Faced with close to two weeks of competition aboard their FR 450 machines, both riders will have to deal with almost one-week of racing at high altitude while tackling the varied and demanding South American terrain.

For Quintanilla this year‰Ûªs Dakar will start with the Chilean being the recently crowned FIM Cross Countries World Champion. Third in the 2016 edition of the Dakar, in securing his hard earned world championship title he has shown that he will be one of the leading riders during this year‰Ûªs Dakar. Fast, experienced and with his fitness and confidence at an all time high, Quintanilla is focused on a third consecutive podium result while also hopeful of improving on his 2016 third place result.

Pablo Quintanilla

‰ÛÏIn Dakar there are many factors that you can't control so making predictions before the race is never a good thing to do," Quintanilla stressed.

"I have prepared well, have no injuries, I‰Ûªve had a great season in the world championship and have a great bike and team supporting me. I have all that I need to do well. Because of my successful world championship season there is a little extra pressure on me to do well, but I don‰Ûªt mind the pressure.

"This year‰Ûªs event will be difficult, with many fast riders hoping to do well. I am sure that this year we will see what Marc Coma believes is a true rally. I feel confident in my navigational skills in the open deserts, and also on the mountain tracks, so I am looking forward to the challenge. It‰Ûªs always hard to have an exact plan for Dakar, you have to let the race come to you. Of course my goals get harder to achieve each year, after finishing on the podium the next step is an obvious one for most riders. Dakar is a special race, an incredible experience, and together with my team we will do all we can to get the best result possible.‰Û

Pela Renet

Ready to tackle his second Dakar, French rider Pela Renet will again be Quintanilla‰Ûªs teammate. Switching to rally at the end of 2015 the former Enduro World Champion has faced a steep learning curve. Despite crashing heavily during Dakar 2016, Renet has remained focused on his goal of adapting to the many challenges rally racing presents and heads into Dakar 2017 determined to gain further experience and reach the finish.

‰ÛÏMy goal this year is to finish Dakar. Everyone now knows that the 2017 Dakar will be very difficult ‰ÛÒ one of the most difficult in recent years," Renet said.

"But I am looking forward to the challenge. Since last year‰Ûªs event I have worked a lot on my navigation, in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Navigation will be very important, also dealing with the riding at high altitude and the big differences in temperatures during the competition. The challenge that is ahead of all riders is going to be very special, very difficult. I have incredible support from my team and have so much more experience going into my second Dakar. I‰Ûªm really looking forward to this challenge.‰Û