“We will win the Dakar!”
CREW FACTS
N.C.
- Nicolás Cavigliasso and Valentina Pertegarini have just completed a successful season, with ‘Valen’ winning the Co-drivers’ Championship in the Challenger Category - the first woman to win a rally-raid crown - and “Nico” finishing runner-up in the drivers’ category.
- The 2025 Dakar will be Nico's sixth, his crowning glory being the victory in the quad category in 2019. That Peruvian Dakar would be unforgettable for several reasons. His domination was absolute as he won nine of the ten stages; he celebrated at the top of an all-Argentine podium with Jeremías González Ferioli (P2) and Gustavo Gallego (P3) and also surprised his girlfriend Valentina by asking her to marry him on the final ramp in Lima.
- ‘Nico’ started in 2016 in quadcross and the Argentinean 4x2 quad category. Just a year later, he earned his first international victories in the Merzouga Rally and the Baja Inka, in addition to winning the CaNav championship.
- He debuted on the Dakar in 2018 and caused a sensation. In a competition dominated by Ignacio Casale, ‘Nico’ won three stages, finished runner-up overall, and won Best Rookie. He switched to the Challenger category for the 2023 Dakar, navigated by his wife Valentina, but an electrical problem on the opening stage ruined his chances. P25 wasn't good enough for him. During the season, he started working on the project that led to the Taurus.
- In the last edition, punctures and mechanical issues prevented them from fighting higher up the order, and they finished ninth. Enthusiastic about the titles won and the level of development achieved by the BBR Motorsport team's Taurus, the Argentinians now have victory in their sights.
V.P.
- With only two Dakar rallies to her name and in only her second complete W2RC season, Valentina Pertegarini was delighted to lift the FIA Rally Raid Challenger Co-Drivers' Champion trophy in Morocco.
- After joining Nicolás Cavigliasso's support team, Valentina became his co-driver in the 2021 Argentinean rally-raid championship, and the following year, she competed in her first international competitions.
- On the final ramp of the 2019 Dakar, a triumphant Nico knelt before her to ask for her hand. There was a resounding yes and a kiss to the applause of the Lima spectators.
- They captured two stage victories on the 2024 Dakar, although she admits there were some very tough sand shovelling and gruelling days like the 48 hours in the Empty Quarter.
AMBITION 2025
N.C.: “Looking back at the W2RC season, Abu Dhabi was a tough race with five days of sand, always on the same surface. We crashed just in the sector where Laia Sanz had stayed, and when we tried to get out of that situation quickly, the clutch broke. The Desafío Ruta 40 was a very nice race we shared with our friends and those who support us. We came very close to winning. Morocco was a different race. We went to test ourselves against our rivals in the Dakar. We could have run faster, but Valentina's title was at stake. We couldn't risk breaking down. When the organisers posted that Valentina had won the title, it was a great emotion. There are so many experiences, so many hours in the car.”
“The Taurus has been in development for two years and looks solid. The Can-Am seems competitive, but it still needs much testing. They will get to the Dakar well, and we will see them both in action there. As for us, we remain focused on our physical preparation, and we will do a few days of testing with the BBR team before the Dakar. Objective? The third time's the charm: we will win the Dakar.”
V.P.: “We competed in many races in 2024. If I had to say the hardest moment, it was the 48-hour stage in the Empty Quarter. It was tough and very exhausting, but still a great experience. The best moment? The final stage of the Portugal Rally, competing against Sebastien Loeb with the same car and in the same category. We couldn't believe we were on top when we looked at the timesheets. We beat him by 46 seconds ....”
“Winning the championship was so emotional. There were tears and much joy. Do you know what? I was so sure that in December 2023, I bought a dress, and I said to myself: 'It's for the FIA gala, to go to dinner with Verstappen'. I've learned so much. In addition to everything Nico teaches me, we have added a lot of mileage. I feel very confident in my navigation skills.”
