Three titles in six years of competition in a separate category. When it comes to UTVs (or side-by-sides) on the Dakar, Brazil has become a benchmark. In the 2023 edition, once again the green and yellow representatives arrive in Saudi Arabia in style, with the hope of fighting for stage victories and even for the general classification in the two divisions: T3 (for the prototypes and models of greater preparation) and T4 (derived standard, with lower top speed).
In the first of these, Santa Catarina sailor Gustavo Gugelmin is in the hunt for another title, alongside North American rider Austin Jones – they are the current T4 champions. The pair are still part of the now Red Bull-backed Can-Am factory team, which has moved from the Overdrive OT3 to the Canadian brand’s Maverick, with backing from South Racing. Gugelmin had already won in 2018, alongside Reinaldo Varela, still in South America. A year earlier, it was the turn of Leandro Torres and Lourival Roldan.
In T3, Jones and Gugelmin will have as their main opponents the Chileans Chaleco Lopez and Juan-Pablo Vinagre (Can-Am Maverick / South Racing), winners of the Dakar 2022; in addition to Cristina Gutierrez / Pablo Moreno; Seth Quintero/Dennis Zenz and Mitch Guthrie/Kellon Walch – the trio are also Red Bull Can-Am champions.
Also in the division, Pamela Bozzano makes her Dakar debut alongside Cadu Sachs, riding a Team BBR / Pole Position 77 Can-Am Maverick. In the same team are Enio Bozzano (Pamela’s husband) / Luciano Gomes .
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In T4, Rodrigo Luppi / Maykel Justo (Can-Am Maverick / South Racing) are among the candidates for overall victory – they won a stage, led two days and finished sixth in the 2022 edition. Bruno Conti, son of Luppi is competing for the first time in the biggest rally in the world, alongside the Portuguese navigator (and biker) Bianchi Prata.
Also facing the Dakar for the first time, Cristiano Batista, alongside Spaniard Fausto Mota, in a South Racing Can-Am Maverick. The miner arrives in Saudi Arabia as an FIA World Cup champion in Bajas.
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