Pablo Quintanilla of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team won the 2017 FIM Cross Country Rally Championship and will no doubt be motivated by that win to claim the Dakar crown this month.
With so many top riders and teams and an intensity of racing not seen in any other competition the Dakar is almost impossible to predict.
But it is not all big teams, fully supported racing and all the trimmings that is on display.
Each year there are a number of privateer racers, some with no support entering and challenging themselves to complete the Dakar.
Getting to the end is an achievement in itself, putting in a competitive performance is absolutely outstanding.
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