Sandra Gomez joins Rieju for the 2023 Dakar Rally

The Rieju factory has announced a completely new official rider team to compete the 2023 Dakar Rally of Sandra Gomez, Dani Nosiglia and Diego Llanos – the aim, they say, is to get  “three motorcycles to the finish line” while Gomez sets sights on fastest female award.

With the 2023 Dakar Rally already made public on December 1 in Paris, the Rieju Factory Rally team also presented for the fourth edition of the event in Saudi Arabia on December 31, 2022 to January 15, 2023.

New to the team this year is the versatile off-road rider Sandra Gomez who heads up a squad of three riders whose goal is “to cross the finish line and enjoy the experience,” says Miquel García, team manager of the Rieju team, who will again entrust the experience of XRaids Experience to look after the bikes and riders for the 14 stages this year.

“My big goal in my debut in the Dakar 2022 was to finish,” says Gomez, who races the Dakar for the second time in January. “In my second participation [the objective] remains the same, in addition to trying to be as far forward as possible in the women's classification, but first I have to go day by day and step by step.”

The Rieju squad for Dakar ’23 is a step down in stature from previous team line-ups, although it doesn’t lack experience. Bolivian Daniel Nosiglia has plenty of experience with 14 rally-raids behind him, including five Dakars. “I am very happy, this is my sixth Dakar, in recent years we have worked hard to be in the best shape”, says Nosiglia, son of Walter Nosiglia, a hero of rallying in their country.

The third rider is Argentine former enduro rider Diego Llanos whoi will make his debut this year at Dakar.

Note: Gomez is racing for Rieju for the Dakar but will fire back up her other bike(s) for Hard Enduro and Trials for the rest of 2023.

Photos and video: Umbrella Agency | Rieju