Yamaha Racing - Dakar News
Alessandro Botturi Joins Yamaha for Dakar 2015

Italian rider Alessandro Botturi joins Olivier Pain and Michael Metge to complete the Yamaha Factory Racing Team Yamalube line up for the 2014-2015 rallye-raid program on the new Yamaha WR450F Rally.

Born July 12th of 1975 in Brescia in Lombardy, Alessandro Botturi developed two passions very early : rugby and off-road motorcycling, which he discovered on a Yamaha YZ125. At 21 years old, he was part of the Italian Junior Rugby Team, the famous Squadra Azzura, but the pull of motorcycling was the strongest and he decided to fully commit to enduro. Between 1998 and 2011, Alessandro realised nine championship titles in Italy, he took three World Championship podiums and has been 15 times holder of the national team at the ISDE. In 2012, Alessandro took part in his first Dakar, finishing eighth and taking "Best Rookie" honours. He also competed in the rally of Sardinia in 2013 and won the 2014 edition.

These good results and the Italian’s strong potential have been essential in guiding the Yamaha Factory Racing decision. Joining the existing team with Olivier Pain and Michael Metge, he will be a key element, perfectly suited to challenge for the top of the rally-raid. The Rally of Morocco, from october 3rd to 9th, will be his first race in "blue". Botturi will continue directly after with the Merzouga Rally from 20th to 24th of October. Both races will allow the Italian rider to complete his preparation, in order to be ready to compete in the toughest rally of the world, the Dakar rally, that begins January 3rd, 2015 in Buenos Aires!

Alessandro Botturi - Yamaha WR450F Rally - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Yamalube
“I am really happy to join the Yamaha Factory Racing Team, an opportunity I have waited for a long time. This team is like a big family and I will do what is necessary to give the maximum. The team has won many races, which I was able to talk about with Peterhansel when we both raced in the Enduro World Championship. For sure, my goal is to win races, but I’ll take the time necessary for that. Many great Italian racers rode for Yamaha so it's a dream come true to continue this tradition.”

Alexandre Kowalski - Team Manager - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Yamalube
“It’s an honor for the Yamaha Factory Racing Team to have Alessandro Botturi aboard. For more than ten years he was at the top of the Enduro World Championship and today he has learnt step by step his rally knowledge. His physical condition, his riding ability, and his great knowledge of navigation are his strongest assets. With the new WR450F Rally and helped by an experienced team, Alessandro has a good chance to climb to the top.”