Giniel de Villiers is ready to sign off his remarkable Dakar Rally career in style in 2025.
Not only is De Villiers reunited with his long-time German navigator Dirk von Zitzewitz, but Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) is also very confident in their Hilux for the dozen stages which covers 5000km in Saudi Arabia in January.
It is the first time four South African drivers start the Dakar for TGRSA.
Joining De Villiers is local cross-country champion Henk Lategan, co-driver Brett Cummings, Guy Botterill and navigator Denis Murphy and Saood Variawa and French co-driver Francois Cazalet.
Botterill and Variawa made their debuts this year, finishing sixth and 17th respectively, while Lategan was forced to miss out due to a shoulder injury.
In stark contrast, De Villiers has lined up for the Dakar more times than the 19-year-old Variawa has had birthdays. He returns for the 22nd time after finishing his first 21 races, an overall Dakar record for most consecutive finishes.
Making De Villiers' run even more remarkable is the fact that he has finished in the top 10 no less than 20 times. This includes eight podiums, with his win in 2009 the highlight.
Bu hikaye The Citizen dergisinin December 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Citizen dergisinin December 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Djokovic unclear on Murray's job
Novak Djokovic would not commit to working with Andy Murray again as his coach after the Serb retired from the Australian Open semifinals yesterday with injury.
Blitzboks off to flying start
The Blitzboks qualified for the knockout round of the Perth Sevens with a game to spare after they picked up two wins on yesterday's opening day of the tournament.
Weekend focus shifts to the battle for survival
It's a big weekend for all six teams in this year's Betway SA20, with the two bottom-placed teams, the Pretoria Capitals and Durban's Super Giants, in must-win matches today if they're to stand any chance of making it into the play-offs.
To save or to invest...
DIFFERENCE: SO MANY BENEFITS FROM INVESTING THAN SIMPLY SAVING
Continental club form very pleasing
I don't know about you but I'm still buzzing over the fact that South African teams are doing well in the Caf inter-club competitions.
Barca have to halt the slide
Barcelona must harness the euphoria of their thrilling Champions League victory at Benfica to halt a miserable run of La Liga form against an improving Valencia side tomorrow.
Rivals look for grunt
DERBY: LIONS & BULLS BOTH ANTICIPATING A MASSIVE PHYSICAL BATTLE
Sinner sets up a classic Zverev decider
Defending champion Jannik Sinner (right) blew past Ben Shelton 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-2 in the Australian Open semifinals yesterday to set up a showdown with Alexander Zverev for the title.
Free Agents dreaming big
Free Agents FC coach Olaitan Oladeru says he still wakes up in the middle of the night and wonders if his ABC Motsepe League side are really playing Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup last-32.
Questioning climate change is reasonable
Just as one can talk of an oil lobby, one can also talk of a climate change lobby.
