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Ica will set the stage for a fierce battle throughout the three stages of the Desafío Inca, as the top drivers and riders fight to dominate their categories. With over 1,000 kilometres of racing entirely on dunes, the maiden edition of the Dakar Series in Peru will be anything but a walk in the park for the competitors. THE FIRST CHALLENGE: PASSING THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SCRUTINEERING There is a reason why those who signed up for the Desafío Inca started their preparation several months before they even set foot in Paracas: the tough safety and technical requirements set at the various checks they faced yesterday. Drivers, riders, navigators and mechanics must work hard on their two- and four-wheeled machines well in advance to avoid being caught offside. Seemingly small things like a vehicle with papers that are not up-to-date or an expired driving or sporting licence could dashed the hopes of the competitors and knock them out of the race before they have covered a single inch. In the end, 37 motorcycles, 26 quads and 20 cars were cleared to start today. THE BEST DRIVERS AND RIDERS Cyril Despres stands out as the favourite in the motorcycle category. Yamaha’s new recruit, a five-time Dakar winner and the defending champion in the biggest motor sports event in the world, will have to see off an international field of well-known riders, including David Casteu, José Manuel Pellicer, Daniel Gouet and the Prohens brothers (Felipe and Jaime), as well as Felipe Ríos, who will fly the flag for Peru. The quad category will see a clash of titans between Chile’s Ignacio Casale and Argentina’s Lucas Bonetto. Both of them have already showcased their full potential in racing conditions, with the latter triumphing in style at the Desafío Ruta 40. Daniel Mazzuco, winner of the same Argentinean event in the 4×4 category back in June, will also be on the start line in Peru. Sebastián Halpern, Sergio La Fuente and Ignacio Flores will be looking for the slightest chink in their armour. The car category, one of those which have raised the most expectation, is sure to feature lots of action. Brazil’s Guilherme Spinelli will start as the big favourite following his performances in the 2010 and 2011 Dakars. He will come up against a host of Peruvian riders, who have signed up for this event en masse with Ramón Ferreyros at their helm. Two of the best national teams, Alta Ruta 4×4 and Duro 4×4, will join the Bolivian, Chilean and Colombian contingents. After the Desafío Ruta 40 in Argentina, the Dakar Series will have tasted Peruvian soil by the end of the Desafío Inca, in which 17 drivers and riders will vie for the top honours in the motorcycle (15) and car (2) categories. Motorcycle rider David Casteu will be on the hunt for a win to crown his great performance, but rivals such as Daniel Gouet, the Prohens brothers, Juan Carlos Salvatierra and Pablo Quintanilla will certainly not go down without a fight. The car category is a Bolivian affair in which Marco Bulacia and Luis Barbery will fight to finish first in Ica. Last but not least, the Dakar Challenge will also be a clear objective for rookies aiming to take home one of the free spots on offer for the 2014 Dakar Rally and amass as much experience as possible. Everything is ready for the commencement of hostilities in the car (7), motorcycle (12) and quad (13) categories. Miguel Bulacia and Peru’s Roberto Pardo will be on the business end of things in the car category, while one of the many local riders is expected to win in the motorcycle category, and Fernando Loli-Arnao, Víctor Gallegos and José Salaverry are among the big names in the quad category. QUOTES: Cyril Despres: “I’m happy to be back in Peru. Yamaha’s made things much easier for us and this has helped us. The Dakar’s given me a lot, but I must continue to perform at a high level if I’m to win. I won the last two times I came here, it’s always worked out great for me.” Guilherme Spinelli: “I’m delighted to be here, in a country which gave us an amazing welcome. Brazil doesn’t have any deserts like this one, so it’ll be a good opportunity to test the car. Cars are faster on dunes, so we’ll see.” Ignacio Casale: “I’m all fired up because this will be my first Dakar Series. Many talented countrymen of mine will be here. We’ll fight for the podium. I’ve prepared very well and we’re looking forward to a decent challenge. We’ve got to be careful and have fun.” Ramón Ferreyros: “For Peruvian motor sports, it’s important to have a Dakar Series event in Peru. Racing here gives us lots of experience. This is my second start in the desert and we’ve got a car that performs very well on dunes.” Felipe Ríos: “Hosting the Desafío Inca in Peru is terrific. It’s an international benchmark for all Peruvian drivers and riders. I’m sure the course will be tough, but we’ll be out to have fun and do well in the race.” Ignacio Flores: “Hats off to the organisers for thinking of Peru. Peruvians are eager to practise the sport, as shown by the 12 quads on the start line. It’s a great leap forward.” |
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For further information: www.desafioinca.com |
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Copyright A.S.O. – photo credit: B. Mahé
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