Team Petronas De Rooy Iveco triumphs in 2016 Dakar Rally
Three Iveco trucks in the Top 5: outstanding results for the Iveco pilots
The Dutch pilot Gerard de Rooy, in his Iveco Powerstar, triumphs in one of the toughest editions in the Dakar history
Iveco conquers the top of the podium in the Dakar 2016. Gerard De Rooy, leader of Team PETRONAS De Rooy Iveco, won the 2016 edition of the most competitive rally race in the world. His performance over the thirteen stages showed once again the pilot’s outstanding driving and navigation skills and confirmed the Iveco Powerstar’s qualities. Iveco dominated one of the most competitive Dakar ever with five different truck brands in the Top 10.
Pierre Lahutte, Iveco Brand President commented: “Iveco’s vehicles triumph in the 2016 edition of the Dakar, with a resounding success and recognition, after the Eurocargo “International Truck of the Year 2016” and Magelys “International Coach of the Year 2016” titles. Iveco puts the excellent reliability of its trucks on the trails of the Dakar rally, enabling the team’s outstanding pilots to give their best performance in the race. I would like to thank Gerard De Rooy, Federico Villagra, Anton Van Genugten, Pep Vila and Ales Loprais and their remarkable teams for the determination and drive they have shown.”
This is De Rooy’s second victory in the Dakar’s Truck category. At the end of the competition, the Dutch champion dedicated his victory to his Belgian navigator, Jurgen Damen, who passed away last year.
On the podium in third place, Federico Villagra, “El Coyote”, is the revelation of this edition. The Argentinian pilot, in his Iveco Powerstar, was followed by millions of local fans, in a market where Iveco is the leader.
Ton Van Genugten finished fifth in his Trakker. He is the other great revelation of the 2016 Dakar: while he was one of two quick service trucks supporting the Team’s lead pilots – De Rooy, Villagra and Loprais – he succeeded in staying ahead of the other leading competitors and crossing the line in 5th place, missing a stage win only because he stopped to support his Team leaders, demonstrating the wonderful team spirit of the Iveco team.
Spaniard Pep Vila, behind the wheel of another Iveco Trakker, took tenth place. The expert Spanish pilot, now at his 6th Dakar with Iveco and 5th with Team De Rooy, fought until the end to finish in the Top Ten.
The Dakar race has also been a great opportunity for Iveco to highlight the performance of its engines: the Iveco Cursor 13 engines – manufactured in Bourbon Lancy, France and specifically prepared for the race by FPT Industrial at its R&D centre in Arbon, Switzerland – known for their performance and durability, powered Iveco’s latest success in the rally.
The 2016 edition with its 9,000km South American route was perfect to showcase the Iveco trucks’ versatility and strength.
FINAL RANKING – TRUCKS
- GERARD DE ROOY (NLD), IVECO Co-pilot: MOI TORRALLARDONA (E) Mechanic: DAREK RODEWALD (PL)
- Mardeev (RUS), Kamaz
- FEDERICO VILLAGRA (ARG), IVECO Co-pilot: JORGE PEREZ COMPANC (ARG) Mechanic: MEMI ANDRES (ARG)
4. Stacey (NLD), MAN
- TON VAN GENUGTEN (NLD), IVECO Co-pilot: ANTON VAN LIMPT (NLD) Mechanic: PETER VAN EERD (NLD)
