All or nothing with Enrico

Dakar 2023 | Prologue | ALULA > ALULA
December 29 th 2022 - 11:46 [GMT + 3]

Enrico Giovanni (chl), Yamaha, Enrico Racing Team, Quad, Andujar Manuel (arg), Yamaha, 7240 Team, Quad, Copetti Pablo (usa), Yamaha, MX Devesa By Berta, Motul, Quad, portrait during the finishing podium ceremony at the King Abdullah International Stadium
Enrico Giovanni (chl), Yamaha, Enrico Racing Team, Quad, Andujar Manuel (arg), Yamaha, 7240 Team, Quad, Copetti Pablo (usa), Yamaha, MX Devesa By Berta, Motul, Quad, portrait during the finishing podium ceremony at the King Abdullah International Stadium © A.S.O./F.Le Floc'h/DPPI

Out of the five Dakar rallies in which he has taken part, Giovanni Enrico has only completed one. It was two years ago when he climbed onto the second step of the podium.

As he waited to have his official photo taken, Giovanni Enrico chewed the fat with other competitors who, like him, were among the first to be summoned to pass the administrative formalities. Deprived of competition since the previous Dakar, the Chilean is counting down the days separating him from the prologue. Whilst he awaits to clamber back onto his Quad, he is already delighted to have reacquainted himself with the ambiance of the bivouac which he adores. Especially this year, with the Sea Camp, as the Dakar caravan has not had to wait long to get a renewed taste of sand and nights under starry skies. “I really like this new concept,” admits Enrico. “It’s like we’re already in the heart of the action with the team. I’m really happy to be sleeping nearby my Quad!” This year, the Chilean is aiming to join the battle for victory. “But what I mostly want is to enjoy myself,” he clarifies. It is true in his case that the previous edition ended prematurely. “I had a nasty fall on the first day and the following day my team-mate Italo Italo Piedemonte suffered a serious injury. He spent twelve days in hospital. The team preferred to withdraw from the race and I stayed with him until he had pulled through”. In 2021, the rider from Iquique managed to finish the race in second position behind Argentinean Manuel Andújar. Enrico even managed to pick up his first two stage victories. It was the first time that he had completed the Dakar, because, since his debut in 2018, mechanical problems and bad luck have always put paid to his ambitions. “With me, it’s all or nothing,” he jokes. “This rally is really difficult. You can spend days without the slightest mishap and then all it takes is the slightest error, a metre of the stage approached the wrong way and everything falls apart. It’s tough, but it’s also what makes this unique event so special.” With not long to go before the start, Giovanni Enrico confirms that he is on top form. “The rider and machine are ready,” he sums up. While one of his dreams is to win, another would be for the Dakar to return one day to South America. “We have the best terrains in the world,” proudly boast the Chilean. “The desert, the dunes, but also mountains and rivers… I hope that one day the Dakar will return”. In the meantime, he is not going to deny himself the pleasure of gobbling up the Saudi desert full throttle.

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