Road to Dakar: Alejandro Silva, Michelangelo Bertolla and Lorenzo Santolino win their entry for the 2019 Dakar

August 24 ^th 2018 - 13:42

Atacama Rally

Kevin Benavides took top honours in the motorcycle category, while Michelangelo Bertolla was the best over the 1,200 kilometres of the Aacama Rally in the Side by Side category. Over five days from 14 to 18 August, the competitors had to cope with the very demanding special stages, which required very precise navigation over the varying landscapes.

Two Chilean newcomers won the Road to Dakar competition during the Atacama Rally. Alejandro Silva in the motorcycle category and Michelangelo Bertolla in the Side by Side division won their entry for the 41st edition of the Dakar, which will take place in Peru from 6 to 17 January 2019.

Alejandro Silva:“I really like the races in the desert that put an emphasis on navigation. I have won several but this one is the biggest. To win my ticket for the Dakar is simply amazing.”

Michelangelo Bertolla: “Along with my co-driver, Paolo Boggio, we hadn’t hoped for such an outcome. We are very happy to have earned our participation in the Dakar. When we realized that we could qualify, we calmed down in order to not make mistakes.”

Baja India

At the end of two gruelling days and more than 650kms on the toughest terrain in the country, the spanish Lorenzo Santolino from TVS Racing won in the motorcycle category on the Baja India in 3h48’46” thanks to his attack in the Jaisalmer dunes.

Lorenzo Santolino: “This victory is very important to me. There were many dunes and it was very fast.”