Dakar 2011 - Ladies of the Dakar on motorcycles!

Ladies of the 2011 Dakar rally

Once again the wins are up for grabs in the 2011 Dakar rally Ladies Cup! Most likely another 16 days of thrill, anxiety and adventure is about to start on January 1st 2011. Sweden, Spain, Italy, Germany and Great Britain - the time has come to show your true colors, ladies!

44 Laia Sanz (ESP)

Newcomer to the Dakar perhaps, but certainly not a new name in the trial dicipline, Laia is the female trial champion 10 consecutive times. During the rally she will use Jordi Arcarons (former motorcycle rider with 27 stage wins) as her water carrier, which ofcourse will be an advantage, but then again, Laia will have to find her own pace and way in the Dakar to reach the finish safely. Give it your best shot!

Number of starts in the Dakar rally: 0

Number of completions: 0

Finishing rate: 0%

56 Annie Seel (SWE) - Defending champion of the Ladies Cup in the 2011 Dakar rally.

Annie is back to defend her title as the Ladies Cup Champion in the 2010 Dakar rally on her KTM. Starting her fifth Dakar rally and prepared as never before. A last check and practice will be carried out in the desert of Morocco mid December. Team Meca System will assist her on the mechanical side of things. Last race was the 2010 Australasian Safari Rally in August where she reached the finish at a 15th position. Go Annie, go Annie!

Number of starts in the Dakar rally: 4 (2002, 2007, 2009, 2010)

Number of completions: 4 (2002, 2007, 2009, 2010)
Finishing rate: 100%

58 Mirjam Pol (NLD)
Great enduro rider Mirjam is back in the Dakar again, last year a bad fall caused her injuries and a withdrawal from the competition far too soon. She won the Ladies cup in 2009 and this will be her fifth start in the Dakar. And once again riding for Team Honda Europe. Welcome back!

Number of starts in the Dakar rally: 4  (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010)
Number of completions: 3 (2006, 2007, 2009)
Finishing rate: 75%

71 Silvia Giannetti (ITA)

First Italian woman to start in the motorcycle category in 2010. Silvia is back and will for sure do her thing on the KTM, ride safely and arrive at the bivouac each and every night. She has a great track record from various rallies in the past, such as: 2006 Rally Tunisia, Rally Morocco, Pharaons Rally, 2007 Pharaons Rally, 2009 Pharaons Rally. Buona fortuna!

Number of starts in the Dakar rally: 1 (2010)
Number of completions: 1 (2010)
Finishing rate: 100%

100 Christina Meier (DEU)

Christina Meier is another interesting rider to keep track on. She will participate on her Sherco, and perhaps this could be the year for a break through. Last year Tina finished on a 85th position. And starting her 3rd Dakar this could be her year, as they say it takes three Dakar rallies to get a grasp on the entire challenge and the race.

Number of starts in the Dakar rally: 2 (2009, 2010)

Number of completions: 1 (2010)

Finishing rate: 50%

173 Jenny Morgan (UK)
And yet another newcomer to the Dakar in the Ladies Cup who will be participating on a Yamaha 450. Jenny has started in a few races over the years: Tuareg Rally Morocco 2008, Heroes Legend Rally 2009, FIM WC Tunisia 2010, and could definitely put up a strong fight in the Ladies Cup. Welcome to the true adventure Jenny!

Number of starts in the Dakar rally: 0

Number of completions: 0

Finishing rate: 0%

And ofcourse Brittish rider Tamsin Jones will be missed - we would have loved to see you in this years action as well! Please do return again, perhaps in the 2012 Dakar rally!?

Quad
259 Camelia Liparoti (FRA)
Only female participant in the quad category is Italian journalist, Camelia Liparoti, competing under French flag (living in the Chamonix valley) Camelia will be competing on the Yamaha 700 Black Storm Raptor quad. And the name of her vehicle says everything. Looking forward to the race and her accomplishments! Guardian Dakar figure, no one less than Luc Alphand.

Number of starts in the Dakar rally: 2 (2009, 2010)

Number of completions: 1

Finishing rate: 50%