The start of the 2015 Dakar Rally is just about a week away now, and already we have news of a retirement: local favorite Francisco “Chaleco” López.
The Chilean rider has been one of the top contenders at The Dakar, but he has clarified his intentions to switch from two-wheels to four, after his name was found missing from the 2015 entry list.
As such, Chaleco plans on returning to the Dakar rally-raid come 2016, though he will be with the Rally Mobile car team, which he will race with the rest of this season as well.
The move by Chaleco is not without precedent, as many top riders have gone on to continue their rally-raid careers behind a steering wheel.
The lastest name to do just that is the Frenchman Cyril Despres, who left KTM for a season with Yamaha, before hanging up his saddle and take a chair with Peugoet for this edition of The Dakar.
The Dakar Rally starts January 4th, and you can follow all the action here on Asphalt & Rubber.
Source: Soy Chile via Motor Pasion Moto; Photo: KTM
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