2023 Dakar - a fresh start for the truck race
December 7
th
2022
- 17:00
[GMT + 3]
56 crews will be vying to take the vacant throne in the truck category. As the start of the event on 31 December draws closer, the absence of the reigning champion from the Saudi desert has blown the race wide open.
The Netherlands and the Czech Republic have already waved their flags from the top of the podium in the 21st century. The Dutch will be represented by challengers such as Janus van Kasteren and W2RC champion Kees Koolen, while the Czechs will be banking on Martin Macík and Aleš Loprais to get back to their winning ways.
A quick glance at the list of winners shows the extent of the Russian hegemony. Not even a year ago, the Russians were filling up the top 4 in the general standings. However, as the conditions for admission to the Dakar are aligned with the international rules concerning Russian athletes, many competitors who had got used to fighting for the scraps are now seen as favourites. The title is now up for grabs, with the Dutch and Czech clans in the pole position.
Indeed, the fifth and sixth position overall in the 2022 Dakar went to two Dutchmen now promoted to favourite status. Janus van Kasteren's meteoric rise (sixth in 2021 and fifth in 2022) has drawn a lot of interest and inspired the Team De Rooy leader to set his sights on a podium spot, but the grizzled veteran Martin van den Brink also fancies a shot at the title, as does his young son Mitchel. However, the best bet for the world capital of truck racing is Kees Koolen, who continued to hone his driving skills throughout his victorious W2RC campaign. Koolen, one of the few competitors who have finished the Dakar in every single category, will be taking the start with number 500, marking him as the man to watch. The Netherlands can also count on Richard de Groot, Pascal de Baar and Ben van de Laar as dark horses for the podium.
The depth of the Czech delegation is also impressive. Martin Macík, who has finished in the top 7 in four of the five last editions (fourth in 2021), appears to have the clearest path to victory. His youthful appearance can no longer hide his prowess or his ambition, which burns brighter than ever with the development of a brand-new Iveco in his garages. Fellow Czech Aleš Loprais, third in the last Dakar held in Africa (2007), is also gunning for victory. The nephew of six-time winner Karel Loprais, who passed away shortly before the start of the 2022 edition, remains as spry as ever (fifth in 2019 and 2021) and is a legitimate contender for glory in Dammam at the wheel of his Praga truck. Back in the Czech Republic, Team Buggyra Racing fans are adamant that Martin Šoltys (tenth in 2021) and Jaroslav Valtr (eighth in 2016) are in with a shout. So many candidates and so few podium spots…