Challenges Faced by Anilo Petrucci in the Dakar Rally
Anilo Petrucci, a well-known motorcycle rider, made his debut in the Dakar Rally in 2022 with KTM. Despite facing technical issues, he managed to win a stage, finishing 90th overall after re-enlisting. Initially, he thought it would be his only Dakar adventure, but he returned in 2023 as part of the Italtrans truck team.
However, his experience on four wheels has been marred by challenges. Petrucci, along with his teammates Claudio Bellina and Marco Arnoletti, were unable to start stage 7 due to Bellina’s physical illness. The team’s Iveco truck suffered a voltage drop around kilometer 440 of the special, leaving Bellina disoriented and unresponsive.
Bellina’s Health Issues
Bellina was reviewed by the Dakar medical team and transferred to a hospital in Riyadh as a precaution. Fortunately, all test results were negative, but the team’s adventure was cut short due to his indisposition.
Previous Challenges
Petrucci’s Dakar journey began with a setback in stage 1, where the team broke the windshield after hitting a branch at 90 km/h. Later, in stage 5, they suffered a rollover, which eliminated them from the general classification. Despite these challenges, Petrucci’s determination and experience have been evident throughout the rally.