Dakar 2014 is here.

The Odissey: the longest, highest and hardest rally ever.

This year, it’s going to be tough and rough: for those who will be involved in the Dakar 2014 challenge, to finish the race is going to be a great result. That’s why the Iveco Team is ready to face any situation, strongly skilled from our two previous exeriences in the rally, full of glory and incredible adventures. This rally will be one of the longest and most challenging in recent years and will cross through three countries: Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. It will begin on 5th January from Rosario in Argentina and end on 18th January in Valparaiso, Chile.

It will be the longest Dakar since the race first arrived in South America. It will cover more than 9,000 kilometres in total, of which 5,000 are special stages, to finally reach the Chilean port of Valparaiso, after crossing the highest Andes in Bolivia.

Essentially, the Dakar 2014 will be the ultimate endurance challenge determined by reliability and sturdiness, the main winning characteristics.

Our IVECO Team:

4 champions and 4 vehicles ready to face any challenge: the perfect combination between the Iveco technology and the best rally drivers, will lead the Team to another edition full of glory. The legendary reliability of Iveco trucks comes from this extreme experience, where every part of ourtrucks is put at the hardest test that could exist. But without the commitment of the drivers and the mechanics at the Dakar nothing would be possible: that’s what we call the Iveco Team Spirit.

Discover the skills of our drivers and the trucks they drive:

Iveco Team Derooy in Dakar 2013

The tail end, and LE DAKAR 2013 has finished. Most of the competitors are glad to see the finish except for one: Gerard like to make up another 5 minutes with his IVECO Powerstar to take a place on the stand.

It was clear; both riders knew from the beginning onwards that they couldn´t lose a second during the last 128 kilometres from La Serena to Santiago. Gerard de Rooy opens strong and is 21 seconds ahead at WP1. However, at WP2 it´s the other way around and it´s Mardeev who is 3 seconds ahead of Gerard. At WP3, the end of the first part of the Special, Mardeev still takes the lead and is 9 seconds ahead of Gerard. At that moment they take the 2nd and 3rd place and have been taken over by Peter Versluis.

It´s a blood-curdling last stage and both gentleman want the most eligible last place on the stand. After the neutralisation there are only a few more kilometres to go; in fact too short to create differences. Who has the best nerves and who steers his truck in the best tempo to the finish?

At the end Peter Versluis takes his first victory. Gerard finished 2nd at 2.04 minutes and Miki takes a splendid 3rd place at 2.17 minutes.

The Kamaz-trio follows…. Mardeev is only 35 seconds behind Gerard and Nikolaev and Karginov take the 7th and 8th place, losing only a few minutes.

René Kuipers finished 18th at 27.01 minutes behind today´s leader.

René Kuipers: “Today it was again a beautiful day; what a great truck, this IVECO. In the beginning we stopped for Martin van den Brink who turned over and we lost some time to help him up. I understand that we can ask the organisation to compensate this time. For the rest it was a very nice experience; it certainly is very morish.”

Tom Colsoul: “I don´t think this Special was meant for trucks. Part one went across a very narrow pass so we were obliged to eat someone else´s dust. Part two was a very narrow track between trees. So we didn´t have any opportunity to take any action. I think I´ll have an early sleep ad have a good cry.”

Gerard de Rooy: “Well, what shall I say. Perfect truck, super condition, no trophy…..”