“We’ve raised the bar”
CREW FACTS
G-P.C.
- Gian Paolo Cavagna loves vintage cars, so much so that owns a little dozen, and off-road races, joining events such as the 1000 Miglia, the Monte Carlo Historique and, on top of everything, two participations in the Dakar Classic, in 2022 and 2023, with Gianni Pelizzola.
- Absent in 2024, the duo returns with the same car they used in 2023, but with a new motor, as they’re wary of the increasing challenges posed by the Dakar Classic.
G.P.
- Gianni Pelizzola is more than Gian Paolo Cavagna’s sidekick… He’s the man behind the enterprise Geca, whose association with Tecnosport supported their previous adventures in the desert.
- Absent in 2024, the duo returns with the same car they used in 2023, a Nissan Patrol GR Y61, but with a new motor, as they’re wary of the increasing challenges posed by the Dakar Classic.
AMBITIONS 2025
G-P.C.: “We wanted to take a year to prepare the car with a more powerful engine. We changed the motor, we tuned in the performance but it took some planning and also, in terms of budget, we’re thinking about participating every two years.
The car is competitive, we’ve raised the bar, and we feel we are a good crew. Previously, our goal was to be finishers. And making it to the end still is the main goal. But we want to aspire to something better, at least in our speed category. With a more powerful engine, we’re ready for the extra difficulties, for the extra dunes. It’s all about being more prepared.
The world of Dakar is fascinating and it’s the most beautiful race I’ve done, with an organisation led by people who are number 1. And Tecnosport offers a very high-level assistance, the best in Italy, so we chose them for all the guarantees it brings in such an event.”
G.P.: “The 2025 Dakar Classic will be my third participation. Every year the courses get more and more difficult as the dunes get bigger, but this year we have a better performing engine so we hope to do well and have fun.
Many navigators are more experienced than me but for me getting to the end is the most important thing. Whatever happens it will be a success and I will live it with the adventurous spirit of the pioneers.
My thanks to Gian Paolo, to Tiziano (XPMotor) our mechanic and to the entire Tecnosport Team.”
