Maurizio Gerini and Laia Sanz are the ‘doyens’ of the Dakar, indestructible motorcyclists. But no, now they race together in Auto, the Queen of Spain definitively switched to 4 wheels after a legendary career in Moto, Maurizio associated with the operation and ‘balanced’, depending on the calendars, between Moto and Auto.

Then there is Francesca Gasperi, ‘born motorcyclist’, who suddenly, having just finished a strong edition of Africa Eco Race, announces herself in a Car crew for the next Dakar. Strange waves in the ocean of the Rally-Raid, fascinating maroons for as many stories of Desert Adventure.

Why strange pairs? Not strange, mind you, it's simply because Francesca and Maurizio form a couple, as they say, even in life!

And while we've dived into the gossip, we suddenly interview Rebecca Busi and Ignacio Cornejo. THE RIDER rose to the Rally-Raid limelight by taking part in the Dakar Classic, then got caught up in the system and now races the ‘real’ Dakar and World Cup with an SSV. Ignacio Cornejo, a strong Honda official until three quarters of an hour ago, has switched to Hero Motorsport and goes to support World Champion Ross Branch.

As with ‘Gerry’ and Francesca, Rebecca and Ignacio will meet again at the next Dakar, the Chilean on a Moto and the Italian on his SSV (which should be the last Can-Am). And as in the first case, the second will mean ‘sharing’ bivouacs and tents. As in life, after all. Let's hear how the ‘odd couple’ feel about living the double adventure of the very difficult, and time and energy guzzling, Dakar Saudi Arabia 2025!