After Eurocargo wins ‘International Truck of the Year 2016’ and Magelys ‘International Coach of the Year 2016’, Iveco triumphs in 2016 Dakar Rally
Three Iveco trucks in the top four: outstanding results for the Iveco pilots
The Dutch pilot Gerard de Rooy, in his Iveco Powerstar, triumphs in one of the toughest events in Dakar history
Turin, 17 January 2016
Iveco has secured its place on the top step of the podium at the Dakar 2016. Gerard De Rooy, leader of Team PETRONAS De Rooy Iveco, won the 2016 running of the most competitive motorsport endurance rally in the world. His performance over the 13 stages showed once again the pilot’s outstanding driving and navigational skills and confirmed the Iveco Powerstar’s supreme qualities. Iveco dominated one of the most competitive Dakar’s ever, which saw five different truck brands inside the Top 10.
Pierre Lahutte, Iveco Brand President commented: “Iveco’s triumph in the 2016 Dakar builds on the huge success we have already achieved with Eurocargo winning ‘International Truck of the Year 2016’ and Magelys ‘International Coach of the Year 2016’. We put the excellent reliability of our trucks to the ultimate test in this year’s Dakar, 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 late Belgian navigator, Jurgen Damen, who passed away last year.
On the podium in third place, Federico Villagra, known as “El Coyote”, proved to be the revelation of this year’s Dakar. 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 inside the Iveco team.
Spaniard Pep Vila, behind the wheel of another Iveco Trakker, took 10th place. The expert Spanish pilot, now at his 6th Dakar with Iveco and 5th with Team De Rooy, fought until the end to finish inside the Top 10.
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 – are known for their performance and durability, and powered Iveco’s latest success in the rally.
The 2016 Dakar was decided over a 9,000km South American route which proved to be the perfect showcase for the Iveco’s versatility and strength.
FINAL RANKING – TRUCKS
1. GERARD DE ROOY (NLD), IVECO
Co-pilot: MOI TORRALLARDONA (E)
Mechanic: DAREK RODEWALD (PL)
2. Mardeev (RUS), Kamaz
3. FEDERICO VILLAGRA (ARG), IVECO
Co-pilot: JORGE PEREZ COMPANC (ARG)
Mechanic: MEMI ANDRES (ARG)
4. Stacey (NLD), MAN
5. TON VAN GENUGTEN (NLD), IVECO
Co-pilot: ANTON VAN LIMPT (NLD)
Mechanic: PETER VAN EERD (NLD)
6. De Baar (NDL), Renault Trucks
7. Nikolaev (RUS), Kamaz
8. Valtr (CZE), Tatra
9. Versluis (NLD), MAN
10. PEP VILA (E), IVECO
Co-pilot: XAVI COLOME ROQUETA (E)
Mechanic: MARC TORRES SALA (E)
11. Ardavichus (KAZ), Tatra
12. Van del Heuvel (NDL), Scania
Dropped out in Stage 5:
ALES LOPRAIS (CZ), IVECO
Co-pilot: FERRAN ALCAYNA MARCO (E)
Mechanic: BERNARDUS DER KINDEREN (NL)
Iveco
Iveco is a brand of CNH Industrial N.V., a World leader in Capital Goods listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CNHI) and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario of the Borsa Italiana (MI: CNHI). Iveco designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks, and vehicles for applications such as off-road missions.
The brand’s wide range of products include the Daily, a vehicle that covers the 3 – 7 ton vehicle weight segment, the Eurocargo from 6 – 19 tons, the Trakker (dedicated to off-road missions) and the Stralis, both over 16 tons. In addition, the Iveco Astra brand builds off-road trucks, rigid and articulated dumpers as well as special vehicles.
Iveco employs close to 21,000 individuals globally. It manages production sites in 7 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and Latin America where it produces vehicles featuring the latest advanced technologies. 4,200 sales and service outlets in over 160 countries guarantee technical support wherever an Iveco vehicle is at work.
For further information about Iveco: www.iveco.com
For further information about CNH Industrial: www.cnhindustrial.com
For further information, please contact:
Iveco Press Office – EMEA Region
Tel. +39 011 00 72965
2644/16
ref: IVECO 16004
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