Gas Gas has released information on its official factory team effort in the 2015 Dakar Rally.
Spaniards Gerard Farrés and Dani Oliveras will contest the Dakar at the controls of the Gas Gas EC450 Raid factory machines with backing from and Vodafone, Braktec and Pont Grup, the latter an insurance company specializing in motorcycles, according to the company.
Gas Gas says that its main goal is to finish what many consider to be the most demanding off-road race in the world. The 2015 edition of the rally marks the fourth consecutive appearance by the Spanish manufacturer. The 2015 Dakar Rally will visit Argentina, Bolivia and Chile in South America. The event, which begins January 4, will feature 13 stages and more than nine thousand kilometers of race distance (approximately 5590 miles). It concludes January 17.
Gas Gas says that Farrés and Oliveras are expected to demonstrate the quality, durability, and reliability of the EC450, which will be released next February.
“The bike has changed a lot over the past year, and I think it’s a bike that can help us a lot, Farrés said. “In the Dakar we will really know the potential of this bike because it’s a race like no other. For me, personally, I think I come to Dakar in a very good shape, well prepared and confident with the results this year: the victory in the Baja [Rally] and the podium in the Rally of Sardinia. A few days ago, we also did some testing in Morocco with my teammate, Dani Oliveras, and this has gone very well and this helps to motivate us. Although I believe that in the Dakar you have to go day by day, where we will see where we are. And from there, we set for ourselves, ambitious goals because we like doing it well. Obviously we’d like to be in the top ten and fight for the win, but in such a long and demanding test as the Dakar, past experience has taught us to go step by step to achieve our goals.”
Oliveras said that he enjoyed a fantastic in his rookie Dakar Rally in 2014, and he is looking forward to a demanding and rewarding race.
“Last year, in my first Dakar, I could see firsthand what it takes to finish this race, so this year I could prepare better for it,” Oliveras said. “The bike has evolved a lot since last year and there have been some modifications. During the first days we’ll see where we can be and what our place is in the rally. I think we can do better as a team. My goal is to finish and improve my 36th position of last year. And, of course, also to give maximum support to my teammate, Gerard Farrés. I think we deserve a good year and a good result, and for my part I will help in any way necessary for the two of us to come to Buenos Aires and to show that we can be in front.”
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