There are only a few hours left before the start of the first stage of the Dakar Rally 2022. Here are the Italian riders on motorcycles and cars including the “rookie” Danilo Petrucci on KTM.
This edition of the Dakar promises to be extremely intriguing, where many of our compatriots participate in an event that is returning to its former glory, with sponsors and champions from all over the world.
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The Italians "on fire"
We obviously start from the great news of this edition, Danilo Petrucci. The rider from Terni had not risked enough on asphalt circuits all over the world, so he decided to fire the dust and sands of the desert. Her passion for off-roading has turned into a new challenge with KTM, who welcomed her with open arms (perhaps even to be forgiven for something…). But the Dakar Rally does not do discounts to anyone: labeled as a "rookie" we will see already tomorrow how it will move between the dangers of land and navigation.
Franco Picco, already a legend of the Dakar, has decided to return to the saddle of a Fantic, a double challenge then: the test of the motorcycle and the physical (and mental) test that awaits him at 66.
Lorenzo Maria Fanottoli, born and raised in Ghana to Italian parents, returned to Africa to work in the family business, first in Ghana then in Nigeria. Between sand and snow, Lorenzo has always been an athlete and above all a fan of motorcycles and dunes. It is at the start with a Husquarna 450 Rally Replica and with the experience transmitted by Oscar Chickens, his coach, who will drive in the Classic category.
The other Italians on motorcycles
There are only a few who want to run free in the desert and above all finish the tough race that awaits them. At the start of the first leg of tomorrow, from Jeddah to Hail, we will therefore see: Tiziano Internò, who will make us live the experience live, Lorenzo Piolini, with his desire to finish the Dakar despite a recent shoulder surgery, Paolo Lucci, Cesare Zacchetti, Francesco Catanese, Leonardo Tonelli, Giovanni Stigliano, Giovanni Gritti, Domenico Cipollone, Elio Aglioni. Another big surprise Aldo Winkler and his son Andrea will race together in the adventure that saw the first in the Dakar gold medals.
Italians by car
As always the Tecnosport team shows up with a nice poker of cars, 3 Nissan Terrano and Nissan Pathfinder, and as many famous drivers such as Giacomo Clerici and Oscar Polli, Luciano Carchieri and Giulia Maroni, Maurizio Traglio and Adriano Furlotti, Valentina Casella and Monica Buonamano.
On Nissan Patrol T1 there will be the brothers Silvio and Tito Totani, well-known protagonists of the Italian competitive off-road vehicle. Rebecca Busi, with her father Roberto Busi, will be the youngest Italian driver at the start in the Classic category, with a Range Rover 3.9 V8. Andrea Schiumarini and Stefano Sinibaldi will race with a Mitsubishi Pajero T1.
At the start we will also find two "ex motorcyclists" or Maurizio Gerini, seriously injured on a motorcycle to the previous edition, which will be the navigator of Laia Sanz, and Filippo Ippolito who will drive Jesus Navarro on a Maximus 4 × 4 T1.
