Vasilyev back with Mini

Vladimir Vasilyev returns to the Dakar with a clear desire for revenge. He had become one of the rising figures of the rally capturing a great 5th place in 2015 and even clinching his first ever stage win that year while being part of the X-Raid team. He then changed cars and teams for the 2016 edition managing to reach the finish in his Toyota Hilux in 8th spot, yet another great performance. After a two-year break, his last appearance lasted only three days despite a fine start (4th after stage 1). For his 6th Dakar, Vasilyev is back in the team that gave him the biggest satisfaction, the X-Raid squad and will be driving a Mini JCW Rally. After a fine cross-country season, finishing 7th of the FIA World Cup and 3rd of the FIA Baja World Cup, the Russian has lost his usual co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov who will be competing with Saudi Yazeed Al Rajhi. He will therefore have at his right, Vitaliy Yevtyekhov with whom he lived his first two Dakar rallies (16th in 2013 and 10th in 2014).