Dakar 2012 - who to follow - bikes and quads?

If you are new to the game and just got the hang of the Dakar rally, here´s some suggestions on interesting competitors to follow along with the team and top riders in the news feed.

For sure there will be an ongoing fued between Spaniard and last year´s winner Mark Coma and Frenchman and earlier winner Cyril Despres in the bike category, as well as the duel between Argentian Alejandro and his brother Marcos Patronelli, each with one win. Though, never to forget the Dakar is the Dakar and any thing can happen, no matter how well equiped for the race you seem to be...

06 Pål Anders Ullevålseter (Norway)
The blond viking who potentially is the only one with experience and knowledge enough, not in a manufacturers team, to win the Dakar rally on the bike. This will be Pål Anders´ 10th start, 9 follow troughs (always within top ten), best position 2nd in 2010. Best of luck, would just be heaven to see this guy take the no 1 position on the podium!

26 Ze Helio (Brazil) The very talented and much appreciated Brazilian is back. Dropped out last year after 6th stage and a broken clavicle. Has been competing on four wheels this year in Rally Cuesta Off-Road, with a strong outcome, but back again in the Dakar on 2 wheels. Aiming for a top five position.

29 Thomas Berglund (Sweden) Captain of the Swedish armed forces is back to fulfill his mission, a top ten placement. His best Dakar brought him to a 12th position (2010) and last year a crash and a broken collar bone stopped him. Go get that top tenth position!

41 & 42 Prohen Brothers (Chile) Felipe and Jamie  These two guys just bring something special to the rally, and of course the joy and pride of Chile representing in the Dakar.

45 Laia Sanz (Spain) -Tall beautiful Spanish Laia, last year´s debutant and winner in the Ladies trophy. Back to be the winner again?

55 Kemal Merkit (Turkey) - a fun, sweet and helpful rider in the rally, stable as ever and returning once again for the adventure. Helped Swedish rally princess Annie Seel without considering his own time loss and placements last year. Big heart!

86 Jes Munk (Denmark) - Made his debut in the Dakar last year but was forced to leave after 5 stage, after another rider hit him and he broke his arm. Recovery and preparations has worked out perfectly. Finished the Pharaons Rally at a fourth place in October. And chances for a great placement looks bright.

94 Wei Guang Hui (China) The only Chinese rider to participate on bike this year, has two former starts (2009, 2010) and one finish. Did in fact ride along with the British female Tamsin Jones for a bit late, late nights in the dunes 2010.

107 Ronnie Bodinger (Sweden) - 2nd start - was leaving the rally last year after engine problems and a very sore shoulder due to an earlier fall. Back to make it through.

150 Luis Belaustegui (Argentina) - Argentinian and Spanish language teacher living in Kansas City, back to do the full Dakar on a 150cc!! He was pulled out last year after not reaching the finish of one of the stages in time (actually helping others get over the dunes)...

250 Alejandro Patronelli (Argentina) Together with his brother this is the all time favorites of Argentinian motorsport lovers. Make no mistake, charming as few. Alejandro took his first win in the Dakar last year and in 2010 reaching the finish 2nd to his brother. Will for sure get their well earned attention this year as well.


252 Marcos Patronelli (Argentina) winner in the 2010 quad category. Withdrew from the 2011 Dakar as he was recovering from an accident, fell bad and forced to take a leave. Now he´s back to fight for the 1st position again. More to come on this one...


259 Camelia Liparoti (Italy) - grand lady of the quad category, 4th start coming up, 2 finished races, and 1 quits. Best position was last year and a 10th. Driving the Yamaha YSM 700R SE. Found her way to the rally through her work as a journalist and then decided not only to report from the rally, but to actually participate.

Dakar 2012 - nationalities represented on bikes

Updated 20120101 according to the 178 participants in the rally!

The different nationalities represented in this years motorcycle category 2012.

Dakar 2013 - Annie Seel on four wheels!

Annie Seel - from two wheels to four

Photo courtesy: Christer Condor/ Team Pewano

After twenty completed off road rallies, on two wheels, Swedish rally princess Annie Seel will compete in a car in the 2013 Dakar rally. Leaving her a year to prepare for the new challenge.

"My long term goal has been to compete in the car category, and now the time is here. 2012 will mean all about preparations and getting it all together, says Annie Seel. Earlier this fall I went to the Swedish Pewano team and tried the Pewano XC60 RR out together with co-driver Olle Ohlsson, and for sure it would be great to be in a Swedish team in the 2013 Dakar rally. We´ll see what happens"

The competitors of the Dakar 2012 are arriving in Argentina as of now, before the start on new years day, making their last minute adjustments. What are you up to?

"Well, it´s been quite a different fall and Christmas this year, without the regular preparations, packing and travelling. And for the first time in a very, very long time I will actually take a very well earned vacation, says a happy Annie Seel. After that it´s all about getting ready for the Dakar again"

Dakar 2012 - manufacturer market share - motorcycles

2012 Dakar rally entries by manufacturer

Updated 20120101 accordingly to 178 racers in the motorcycle category 

And as always, going over the numbers gives you an interesting aspect of the rally. Numbers are based on the startinglist at dakar.com as shown 1st of January.

Total number of participants in the motorcycle category 2012:

178 (divided by 14 different manufacturers). 

KTM is once again increasing its share in the Dakar rally. 2009 was a great year for this manufacturer with a total of 126 riders (55,8% share), but a financial crisis and change in regulations (450cc)  made a window of opportunity to the other manufacturers. Leaving KTM with a total share of 41% and 73 riders, almost the double of closest follower Yamaha with 40 riders. Honda is losing among the major brands, backing from 18% (2011) to a 12,4% share. Still without any real threat of being caught up by fourth largest manufacturer Husqvarna. Increasing it´s amount of units, among the smaller brands represented in the Dakar rally, from 1 (2011) to 9. 

Chinese Jincheng is still in the game attending with the same two riders from last year. And the Italian brand Aprilia is taking a big plunge, losing 8 units from last year and reaches a total of 2,2%. Another interesting brand to mention is British Rieju which won the super production category in 2011. Now returning with two bikes and the high hopes of yet another victory, with Italian riders.

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2012 Dakar rally - launch is close!

My all time favorite pic from last years visit to Argentina/Chile. 

Only days left now before it all once again commences. Debutant's vs pros. But who will reach the finishing line? A dream come true for those who will enter Peru and Lima. Perhaps a never fulfilled dream for those who took an early leave, hurt or unhurt?

This year will be a bit different compared to the last few years. My role will mean a restless start of the new year due to Swedish rally princess Annie Seel not participating. No journalists hunting me down which also means no South America. Looks like Annie might return next year. In a car! Instead the princess will head to Mexico and an extremely well earned vacation. I will head the opposite direction to enjoy Thailand.

The other Swedish participants are on their way to Argentina and Mar del Plata as of now, and it will be a pleasure to follow their whereabouts. Keep an eye out for Captain Thomas Berglund (no 29) and Ronnie Bodinger (no 107). Accompanied by Norweigan Pål Anders Ullevålseter (6), Danish Jes Munk (no 86, who last year had a crash with a cow on the fourth stage...)

Wishing every Dakar fan and the participants a happy new year and the best of luck!