“We will defend our title”
Crew facts
N.C.
- Nicolás Cavigliasso and Valentina Pertegarini have just finished what they say is "the best year of our lives" with victory in the Dakar Rally and "Valen's" second consecutive Challenger Category Co-Driver crown and "Nico's" Drivers' title.
- For Nico, 2026 will be his seventh Dakar, having won in two categories: the Challenger in 2025 and the Quads in 2019. That Peruvian Dakar was unforgettable: he won nine of the ten stages; celebrated at the top of an all-Argentinian podium alongside Jeremías González Ferioli (P2) and Gustavo Gallego (P3); and surprised girlfriend Valentina by proposing to her on the final ramp in Lima.
- Nico began his career in 2016 in quadcross and in Argentina's 4x2 Quads category. A year later, he claimed his first international victories in the Merzouga Rally and the Baja Inka, as well as the CaNav title.
- In 2018, he made his Dakar debut, and his emergence was a huge success. In a competition dominated by Ignacio Casale, ‘Nico’ won three stages and finished runner-up in the general classification, as well as being named Best Rookie.
- He switched to the Challenger category for the 2023 Dakar Rally, navigated by his wife Valentina, but an electrical problem in the opening stage ruined his chances. During the season, he began working on the project that led to the Taurus.
- In 2024, several punctures and mechanical problems prevented them from fighting higher up the order, and they finished 9th.
- In the run-up to Morocco, Cavigliasso decided to change teams and will take on the Dakar with Vertical Motorsport, based in Barcelona. However, he will retain the services of his engineer and mechanics from Taurus.
VP
- Valentina will never forget the 2025 season. After her triumph in Morocco to become FIA Challenger Rally Raid Co-driver Champion, in January, she lifted the Touareg trophy for her victory in the Dakar Challenger category, and, after a series of great performances, she won her second Co-driver Championship at the Rally of Portugal.
- The primary school classmates met again years later, and Valentina joined Nicolás Cavigliasso's support and assistance team. She went on to become Nicolás's co-driver in Argentinean rally raid in 2021, and the following year she competed in her first international competitions.
- On the final ramp of the 2019 Dakar Rally, a triumphant Nico knelt before her to ask for her hand. There was a resounding yes, followed by a kiss, to the applause of the Lima crowd.
- With only having competed in three Dakars and already having tasted glory, ‘Valen’ knows there are still dreams to fulfil and that they are going to the Dakar ready to do their best with the resources they have.
Ambition
N.C.: "We started last year's Dakar knowing that the opening week would be particularly tough. We maintained a solid pace, but took care of the car during the 48-hour stage. The 30-minute gap we had was wide, but not decisive. It is why, in the second week, we planned a more mental race to manage the advantage. We had to prevent (Goncalo) Guerreiro from gaining minutes on us. And that's how we won.
As for the rest of the season, we were leading in Abu Dhabi when we had an accident because we didn't notice a road break. In South Africa, Pau Navarro had problems, whereas we had an excellent rally. Portugal was another outstanding event, in which Valentina cemented her position, and so we arrived in Morocco with a healthy lead over Navarro. We had to come up with another intelligent strategy to manage our advantage and win the championship.
Before Morocco, we decided to switch to the Vertical Motorsport team based in Barcelona. We did about 600 km of testing and worked hard on the Taurus. The car has several improvements: changes to the chassis, lighter weight, and greater stability.
V.P.: "The 2025 Dakar was a very mental race. We were laser-focused on managing the difference and controlling the race, without going out to chase times. There were difficult moments, of course. The 48-hour stage is harsh without access to toilets. I also had to keep my hair in braids the entire time.
I am looking forward to knowing the Dakar route. We like the proposed terrain. We are coming off the best year of our lives after winning the Dakar and the championship. We have a lot of experience, but we cannot underestimate the Dakar.
Our goal? Our dreams are mixed with budget realities. We will do our best with a new team in the Dakar. "
