Next Tuesday, January 3, a new edition of the Dakar Rallythe most demanding race in the world, in Saudi Arabia. The event will have the participation of 27 Argentines, including pilots and sailors.
The national delegation, which includes renowned figures such as Kevin and Luciano Benavides, Nicolas Cavigliasso and Manuel Andujarwill seek to leave its mark in a competition that promises to be more challenging than ever.
With a route of 8,000 kilometers divided into 12 stages, this edition of the Dakar, the sixth consecutive in Saudi Arabia, It will be the most extreme in the Middle East. Argentina, as a country leader in Latin American representativesreinforces its role in this iconic competition that will take place until January 17.
In this 47th edition, which is also the first date of the World Rally Championship (W2RC), the Benavides brothers will lead the RallyGP Motorcycle category with the Red Bull KTM Factory Team. Kevin, who is recovering from a serious accident, and Luciano, after his debut in the Morocco Rally, are two of the main Argentine cards. On the other hand, the Neuquén Juan Santiago Rostan will compete in the Rally2 category, while Benjamin Pascual will participate with an innovative electric motorcycle from the Segway Rally Team.
In the Ultimate Cars category, Juan Cruz Yacopini He will be the only Argentine pilot. He will drive a Toyota Hilux with his Spanish navigator Dani Olveraswith whom he will seek to stand out in his fifth participation. The Challenger category will also have an outstanding national representation, led by Nicolás Cavigliasso and his wife Valentina Pertegariniworld champion in sailing. They also add David Zille and Sebastian Cesanain addition to several Argentine sailors who will accompany international pilots.
In the Side by Side division, Manuel Andujartwo-time quad champion, will compete alongside Bernardo Graue. Furthermore, they will be Jeremías González Ferioli and Fernando Acostawho arrives as world champion sailors, among other compatriots.
Finally, in the Dakar Classic category, the brothers Jorge and Cristóbal Pérez Companc They will drive historic vehicles, while other Argentines will seek to close agreements to compete in this demanding division.
The Argentines in the 2025 Dakar Rally
Motorcycles
#47 – Kevin Benavides (RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING)
#49 – Juan Santiago Rostan (XRAIDS EXPERIENCE)
#77 – Luciano Benavides (RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING)
#1000 – Benjamin Pascual (SEGWAY TEAM), Dakar Future, electric motorcycle
Cars
#216 – Juan Cruz Yacopini (OVERDRIVE RACING)
Challenger
#301 – Nicolas Cavigliasso / Valentina Pertegarini (TEAM BBR)
#304 – Lisandro Ezequiel Sisterna Herrera (Pau Navarro’s Navigator) (TEAM BBR)
#308 – David Zille / Sebastian Cesana (DAKLAPACK RALLYSPORT – ZILLE RALLY)
#314 – Facundo Jaton (Xavier Foj Navigator) (FOJ MOTORSPORT)
#323 – Gaston Ariel Mattarucco (Navigator of Javier Vélez) (ADT MOTOWEAR DRINK PERSÉ)
#326 – Bruno Jacomy (Khalifa Al-Attiya Navigator) (NASSER RACING)
#330 – Augusto Sanz (Ahmed Alkuwari Navigator) (NASSER RACING)
SSV
#401 – Fernando Matias Acosta (Navigator of Sebastián Guayasamín) (BE RACING)
#407 – Jeremías González Ferioli / Pedro Gonzalo Rinaldi (CAN-AM FACTORY TEAM)
#408 – Diego Martinez (SOUTH RACING CAN-AM)
#413 – Manuel Andujar / Bernardo Graue (SOUTH RACING CAN-AM)
#415 – Anwar Osman (Fidel Castillo’s Navigator) (BUJARKAY-MAKARTHY RACING)
#417 – Santiago Hansen (Pablo Copetti Navigator) (MMP)
classical
#745 – Jorge Pérez Companc / Cristóbal Pérez Companc (TH-TRUCKS TEAM MADPANDA)
#919 – Pablo Alejandro Jatón / Ariel Jaton / Renato Delmastro (DONERRE SUSPENSION TEAM)
Source: Ambito
