“Still the same excitement, because you can never predict it”
Crew facts
G.H.
- Gert Huzink was just seven years old when the first Dakar Rally took place in late 1978. As a Dutchman and a truck enthusiast, it seemed destined that he would one day take part in the rally-raid. But his off-road career also includes car racing, with numerous competitions in the Netherlands. In fact, he made his Dakar debut in 2012 behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi ASX.
- It took him until his fourth attempt in 2015 to earn his first finisher’s medal, driving a Tatra Phoenix for his first participation in the truck category. He went on to compete in several editions with a Renault, earned his best result to date in 2018 (7th) and made history in 2020 by becoming the first driver to race a hybrid-powered truck (the C460 model).
- The co-owner of metal recycling company Riwald did not compete in 2025 because his team had to withdraw due to new FIA regulations on hybrid trucks. The updated rules required new technical standards and the team could not implement the changes in time. This marked the first Dakar he missed since his 2012 debut. He’s back return in 2026, with a diesel-powered truck.
- Rally-raid is a family passion for the Huzinks. Gert’s brother, Richard, also participated in the 2012 Dakar but sadly passed away a year later. Now, Richard’s son, Kay, is stepping into the family tradition and will compete in his first Dakar in 2026 with Gert’s Kuipers-Jongbloed team. This makes the edition particularly special for Gert, who has entrusted Kay to the guidance of his trusted navigator, Rob Buursen.
H.K.
- As far back as he can remember, Hugo Kupper has always watched the Dakar Rally on television. Like many in the great Dutch tradition, it was the trucks that captured his imagination above all else.
- For more than thirty years, Hugo has been building expedition trucks, turning a lifelong passion into his profession. His encounter with Mathias Behringer marked a decisive turning point, leading him onto the roads of the Dakar Rally for the first time in 2009. Hugo became part of the German driver’s rapid assistance crew, supporting some of the most competitive teams in the bivouac. Most recently, he worked for Q Motorsport, helping the Audis of Stéphane Peterhansel, Carlos Sainz, and Mattias Ekstrom.
- Alongside his assistance duties, the Dutchman has also competed in the Dakar as part of a race truck crew. His best result came in 2017 (9th), when he served as navigator to Hans Stacey. Hugo has also proven his abilities as a driver, notably at the Rallye Breslau in Poland, where he reached the podium. An event made even more special by the presence of his family on site.
- The transfer of navigator Rob Buursen to the truck of rising talent Kay Huzink created an opening with his uncle, Gert Huzink, who naturally turned to Hugo to join him in the truck. A new chapter then began, built on experience, family ties, and a shared passion for rally raid.
Ambition
G.H.: “A top five finish is my main goal, and of course it would be great to stand on the podium. But like every Dakar, it won’t be easy because there are many competitors with the same objectives and similar potential. I think there are six, seven, maybe even eight truck drivers who can win, and you also need a bit of luck. This will be my first Dakar with Hugo but we already raced together in Morocco and we have a good connection. He is a very good navigator with a lot of experience. We had to switch from a hybrid to a diesel engine, which means less horsepower but also lower weight. In Morocco the truck was quite fast, we were able to follow Martin Macik, so overall I am satisfied, even if I would have preferred to stay with the hybrid version. It will also be the first Dakar for Kay, my nephew, the son of my brother who passed away in 2013. He still needs to gain some experience, but he is a good driver and it’s nice to have him in the team. For sure, the organizers have designed a tough and demanding Dakar, but that’s why we come here! The Dakar is a very special event, and I still feel the same excitement because you can never predict it. Every Dakar has its own plus and mins, good moments and bad ones, and it will always remain a unique experience.”
H.K.: “I have known Gert for a long time. We were competitors, then he asked me to navigate for him, and now we will do our first Dakar together. I have competed in several Dakar as fast assistance with Mathias Behringer, and also a few times in a race truck. Now I’m back in a good race truck again, so I hope we will be able to fight for the first positions. The Saudi Arabian Dakar is always a great and challenging race, with some difficult dunes for the trucks.”
