The start signal for the Dakar Series 2015 will be given this week in Argentina, where the Desafío Ruta 40 will be held.
The technical and administrative formalities took place yesterday in the bivouac installed in the exhibition complex of San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca in the north of the country. A large number of Argentinian fans will be able to get close to the stars before the official start of the race from Tuesday morning (19th) onwards, today (Monday 18th) being reserved for the opening ceremony in the centre of the provincial capital of Catamarca.
On Tuesday, the drivers and riders will set off on an initial loop around San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca. On Wednesday, the route will take them to Tinogasta, and another loop to the east of Tinogasta is programmed for Thursday. Friday’s route will lead to Chilecito, and the last stage on Saturday will end in Villa Union.
In bikes, the great favourite is, not surprisingly, the quick Joan Barreda of Team Honda HRC, which is lining up three riders: Barreda, Goncalves and the rookie from California Ricky Brabec. “The Ruta 40 is particularly important for riders’ training and the technical development of the machines with a view to the Dakar 2016,” says team manager Martino Bianchi. This view is shared by David Casteu (Team Casteu Elf, KTM 450), the only Frenchman in the event. “It’s a relatively long and difficult test, with hard special stages of almost 800 kilometres. It’s very important to be there because the rally takes place over the same special stages as the Dakar.”
Other leading riders such as the Argentinian Javier Pizzolito (Honda Mec Team) will try and make their mark, together with the Chilean Pablo Quintanilla (KTM Warsaw Rally Team).
There are plenty of quads (38!) lining up, and among them we would highlight the presence of Ignacio Casale, winner of the Dakar 2014 and the first Chilean to win the rally, and also of the Jeremías Gonzales Ferioli (Argentina), 2nd in the Dakar 2015, Nelson Sanabria (Paraguay) and Lucas Bonetto (Argentina), both regular front-runners in the Dakar, and the only woman quad rider Suany Martinez.
Orlando Terranova and Lucio Alvarez (Mini X-Raid) are the favourites for the Desafío Ruta 40 in cars. Other drivers lining up are Juan Manuel Silva and Martín Maldonado (Colcar Racing Team) and the Renault Dusters of Emiliano Spataro and José Garcia.
The Dakar Series (Ruta 40, Guarani and Inca) will once again have a combined classification leading to a champion’s trophy for the series and a prize of free entry to the next edition of the Dakar.
Programme and stages:
18 May Opening Ceremony (Catamarca)
19 May stage 1 (Catamarca – Catamarca)
20 May stage 2 (Catamarca – Tinogasta)
21 May stage 3 (Tinogasta – Tinogasta)
22 May stage 4 (Tinogasta – Chilecito)
23 May stage 5 (Chilecito – Villa Union)
Results and live feed
Race website: www.desafioruta40.com.ar
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesafioRuta40
Twitter: @DesafioRuta40
