Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team goes for Dakar glory

The Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team is fielding a five-man line-up for the 2021 Dakar Rally with Adrien Van Beveren, Franco Caimi, Andrew Short, Ross Branch and Jamie McCanney ready to rise to the challenge.

Leading the team is experienced Frenchman Van Beveren. After spending the early part of 2020 recovering from surgery, he’s been based in Dubai to put the finishing touches to his pre-race prep. 

Caimi was a consistent threat for top-five stage results throughout the 2020 Dakar Rally with the 32-year-old ultimately placing eighth overall to match his career-best result from the 2017 event. 

After joining the team in March, MXoN winner Short has spent much of the year riding in the Nevada desert while Branch has clocked up countless miles in his native Botswana. 

The team’s youngest rider is 26-year-old Brit Jamie McCanney. The Manxman made his Dakar debut in 2020 and posted some impressive finishes with his best result a strong sixth overall on stage 11.

“Since my crash at Dakar in 2020 it took two surgeries before I could work on my full recovery,” said Van Beveren. “I had six months off the bike but I now feel really good. I’m not deterred by my crash and I still dream of winning the Dakar. This has been my motivation to work hard and prepare myself for 2021. My bike is good and I feel good so I am really confident now and I can’t wait to go racing again.”

The 2021 Dakar Rally gets under way in the port city of Jeddah on January 3 and will cover more than 7500km before finishing in the same location on January 15.

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