In the world championship until 2007 and then in Superbike, where he won the title in 2011, Carlos Checa is now ready for an incredible new adventure, in which he’ll double up on the wheels. The Spaniard has announced that he will compete in the 2022 Dakar, taking place from 2 to 14 January in Saudi Arabia, at the wheel of a Buggy.

Palpable excitement in his post

The post reads: “I will take part in the next edition of the race, driving a Buggy Optimues with French team MD Rallye Sport. My navigator will be the experienced Ferran Marco. I’d been wanting to do the Dakar for a long time and finally everything’s come together, and I can take on this significant challenge”.

Checa officially hung up his helmet eight years ago, but he’s kept busy ever since: “Since leaving the racing as a Superbike rider, I’ve never stopped putting myself to the test on both two and four wheels and the Dakar is the ultimate expression of motor racing in terms of the adventure and the challenge. I’m always up for a challenge and this is exactly that, with a capital C”.

Pre-set goals

As a professional rider/driver, the 49-year old knows what he wants: “I’m hoping to have a great experience, fighting for the best possible results. I’m not going to Dakar for a mosey let's say, or as a tourist, and will be lining up with a prestigious team in the rally raid world and a very experienced navigator”. So he has everything he needs. Good luck Carlos!

Translated by Heather Watson

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