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Husqvarna Introduces the Dakar Team and the Bikes

Husqvarna teamed up once more with old friends Rockstar Energy for the 2016 edition of the Dakar Rally, and will field a three-rider line-up at the start of this extreme competition.
Husqvarna Dakar Team, 2016 19 photos
Photo: Husqvarna
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Two of the riders have already written down their names in the Dakar history books on their own, as they are strong competitors at the top of the charts. For 2016, Husky will have Portuguese Ruben Faria in the team, accompanied by Chile's new cross-country star Pablo Quintanilla, with the Frenchman Pela Renet making his debut in the toughest rally on the planet.

Ruben Faria is a true Dakar veteran, as he debuted back in 2006. 2016 will be his ninth presence in the Dakar Rally, with his best performance being the runner-up position in 2013. In 2015, Faria finished sixth, as a member of the KTM factory team.

Pablo Quintanilla has only three editions of the Dakar to his name, as he debuted in 2013. Even if he didn't finish the race in 2013 and 2014, he still managed an incredible performance in 2015, finishing fourth and also winning the eighth stage.

The two will be aided by French rookie Pierre-Alexandre "Pela" Renet. This may be his first Dakar, but he is not at all a greenhorn. Renet won national and world titles in E2 enduro and MX3, so he is as strong as it gets as a Dakar debutant.

Husqvarna FR 450 Rally bikes for the job

Husqvarna will field three FR 450 Rally machines at the start of the 2016 Dakar. It is uncertain how much KTM DNA these bikes have. Some suspect that Husky is only planning to use rebranded KTM 540 Rally engines, as it's been not too long since the brand was bought by the Austrian maker.

After Husky had changed hands, KTM officials declared that there were plans set afoot for making Husqvarna a strong, independent motorcycle brand, but that the first steps would most likely be taken with strong "orange support."

Given the presence of Faria and Quintanilla in the team, we can expect Husky to perform well in the 2016 Dakar, but how competitive they will be only time will tell. In January.
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