Dakar Rally: Swiss drivers fight for points 🎥
CHALLENGE One of the toughest rallies in the world is the Dakar Rally. Three Swiss drivers are at the start this time. Plus a Swiss navigator who knows how to win the desert battle.
The Dakar Rally is undisputedly one of the greatest adventures in motorsport. The 45th edition will take place in 2024. Saudi Arabia will host the event for the fifth time. The "Dakar" has its origins in Africa. From 1979 to 2007, the desert rally was held on the original route from Paris to Dakar (later also from Lisbon to Dakar, among others). In 2008, the world's largest off-road event had to be canceled at short notice due to terror warnings. From 2009 to 2019, the event was held in South America.
Marathon stage over 600 kilometers
This year's edition is also a tough one. 7900 kilometers are on the program. 4800 of these will be counted. As a special challenge, there is a 48-hour marathon stage over 600 kilometers. The starting signal will be given on January 5. The final stage will take place two weeks later on January 19 - with the finish in Yanbu on the Red Sea.
These Swiss are aiming for the podium
Three Swiss riders will also be at the start. First and foremost Alexandre Pesci from St-Sulpice (VD). The owner of the Rebellion watch brand is the most experienced Swiss driver in the Saudi desert. He finished 43rd in 2020 and 53rd in 2022. Pesci will start with co-driver Stephan Kühni in a Toyota Hilux with the #251 in the T1 class (gallery on the right).
Jérôme de Sadeleer is also back. Born in Gstaad, he made his debut in 2022 but had to take a break in 2023 due to a racing accident. De Sadeleer will be driving a Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo with the #420 in the agile, two-seater desert buggy (SSV) category.
The third participant also comes from French-speaking Switzerland and is celebrating his premiere: Cédric Goumaz, 40 years old, from Choulex. The farmer from the canton of Geneva is driving an MD Optimus Buggy dieselmal with the #266 in the T1 class (gallery left).
Meeting of the international driving elite
A glance at the start list shows that the Dakar continues to enjoy a special status. Everyone who is anyone is there in Saudi Arabia: Nasser Al-Attiyah, Sébastien Loeb, Carlos Sainz sr, Stéphane Peterhansel and others. Incidentally, the latter will once again be navigated by Edouard Boulanger. The co-driver with French roots, who lives in Les Paccots, is competing with a Swiss license and won the 2021 Dakar alongside Peterhansel.
Photos: Audi, Rebellion, MMP Competition
Source: Auto Sport Switzerland
