The Polaris Xtreme+ team took on the Dakar Rally this year for the 10th time, with four teams triumphantly battling to reach the finish line of the iconic voyage in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Dakar is no easy feat; a total of 8,375 kilometres travelled over 14 days and 12 stages to reach Jeddah on the 14th January. With every pilot at the wheel of the Polaris RZR Pro XP, the Dakar Rally concluded with an epic achievement for the Xtreme+ team: All four teams reached the finish line and successfully completed the world’s toughest rally.
The proven RZR Pro XP is well-armed to battle the unrelenting terrain of Dakar with countless hours of research, development and testing in a variety of race settings that have led to the current Pro XP platform. Powered by a 4-stroke fuel-injected, double overhead cam, turbocharged twin cylinder 925cc engine, the RZR Pro XP also boasts high-clearance suspension travel, impressive stability and instant response; all key components needed in order to overcome the unforgiving Dakar Rally.
“It takes a team to finish the Dakar Rally, but Xtreme+ is more than just a team; we’re a family,” said Marco Piana, Xtreme+ Team Owner. “Our four teams were all very skilled and professional, the RZR’s race performance was unwavering, and the Xtreme+ crew provided the support and enthusiasm needed to make it through this physically and mentally demanding race. To the world, the Dakar Rally is a race, to the participants, it’s a dream. We’re so proud that everyone in the Xtreme+ team reached those dreams this year.”
Pietro Cinotto and Alberto Bertoldi (#437) finished the Dakar Rally in P18 of the overall SSV category – a well-deserved achievement after a demanding race.
In the final stage of the race, Michele Cinotto and Maurizio Dominella (#423) ranked as the best of the Italian teams with a superb P10; an excellent achievement after some major difficulties during the middle stages.
For their debut year at the Dakar Rally, Father and son Jean Claude and Jerome Pla (#445) were extremely consistent throughout the race and finished their first ever Dakar Rally in P29 overall in the SSV category.
Shinsuke Umeda and David Giovannetti (#453) achieved their dream of finishing the world-famous rally, as well as being the first Japanese pilot to have finished Dakar in a side-by-side.
The 44th edition of the Dakar Rally has come to an end and as the Xtreme+ team ship back the vehicles and reflect on another unforgettable experience, they shift their attention to the upcoming year of exciting challenges and racing with Polaris RZR..
About Polaris
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. With annual 2019 sales of $6.8 billion, Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER, RZR and GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; snowmobiles; and deck, cruiser and pontoon boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories, along with a growing aftermarket portfolio, including TransAmerica Auto Parts. Polaris’ presence in adjacent markets includes military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe.
