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Last week-end on the French riviera, David Casteu presented his new Dakar and 2010 Rally world championship Team.
In the headquarters of French Newspaper powerhouse that is Nice Matin, many elected officials, Chamber of Commerce representatives joined sports celebrities and sponsors such as Fred Lequien (ASO), Luc Alphand (Skieur-pilote auto), Fabien Planet (International Sherco Enduro rider), Arnaud Vincent (GP moto), Philippe Corsaletti (Elf-Total), Marc Tessier (Sherco), Philippe Quillot (Massa), Pierre Souvigné (O’But), Gérard Benielli (Dif’Azur)…

The very next day, Bivouac was set on the hills of local countryside in order to start Dakar simulations for the Team’s logistics and break-in the bikes.

David Casteu explains : « This year, with the help of my sponsors ELF, Sherco, Massa and Rockstar Energy, I chose to take my future into my own hands and to build my own team.
For the last two months, I have been wearing two hats : Rider#1 and Team manager. But the later, I will drop it the day I land in Argentina to focus on my own race. »

Beyond extremely professional people, David has relied and surrounded myself with many devoted friends who are supporting him in more ways than one.
We can bet this synergy will make the difference in what is recognized as the toughest motorsport event in the world, Le Dakar.

« These last 3 months were really hard on us on all levels….we did not really sleep much at all. But Saturday night, when I stayed in the field where we set up camp, I tool a look around me and really paid attention to my team, I was really happy. I did realize that I went far and deep with details and that I really used my years of experience as official factory KTM rider to put together a great team, my team ! »

This 2010 Dakar is marked as a stepping stone in the history of Rally Raid world because the highly successful promoter ASO did impose a 450cc limit for the motorcycles. « The fact that Sherco as well as Yamaha and Aprilia vested themselves in Rally is proof that the people against the new rule are in the wrong. It was a really good decision and at the finish of this Dakar, I think many factories will ask themselves serious questions and will regret to have missed on such new opportunity. »

« The 450cc Sherco with injection adds a « green » touch to my program as it is very easy to fine tune the gas mileage. The lightweight bike doesn’t require a lot of experience to ride it but an agressive style is required. The total opposite of the large 690cc we were previously used to.
In this Dakar, we will still see KTM 690 but restricted in power, a wise choice by the promoters that will allow many 450cc riders to compete on a even field. I twas important to look further than just one Dakar, I am committed for long term and thanx to my sponsors, I already have the next two years of ‘Dakar’ and world championships budgeted. »

My Team is composed of three riders, including Mika Pisano who is my designated ‘water carrier’ and Ludo Boinnard, additional assistant to our program who will be following us on my old Factory KTM.
We will be a total of 12 people, each with a very detailed designated task and I know I will be able to rest entirely on this group of people very tightly knitted by friendship and professionalism. »

LEATT BRACE Service center
During the Dakar, all competitors wearing a Leatt brace neck protector will be able to get technical support in the form of new replacement parts inventoried a tour truck. The Leatt company will set up booth next to our truck during admin and tech controls in Buenos Aires.

RIDERS
N°3 David Casteu (Sherco 450)
N°20 Michaël Pisano (Sherco 450)
N°26 Ludo Boinnard (KTM 690)

DAVID CASTEU
2 time runner up world champion Rally
2nd overall in Dakar 2007
4th overall in Dakar 2009
Winner overall Pharaoh’s rally – Egypt 2008
Winner overall Dakar Series- Central Europe rally 2008
1992 Trial French champion

MIKA PISANO
2nd French Nat Enduro championship 2002
2nd overall in Tunisia Rally 2008
First Dakar in 2009 Engine failure while running 12th overall

LUDO BOINNARD
4th overall Rally Dos Sertoes – Brasil 2005
9th overall Pharaoh’s rally – Egypt 2008
3rd French Nat Enduro championship 1983/1984/1985

T5 MAN TRUCK
-Robert Arnaud : driver + bivouac set up
-François Bonnet : bivouac manager + Parts logistic
-Michel Thullier : Motorist

T5 SPRINTER
-Franck « Carbone » Quetier : Mechanic + carbon parts
-George Gianti : Mechanic + châssis specialist
-Patrick Ricroch : Mechanic Teacher IFA
-Alex Giorsetti : Mechanic student IFA

PICK-UP TRUCK
-Jean-Pierre Aujoulet : Administration
-Judith Tomaselli : Press relations

PRESS CONTACT : Judith TOMASELLI
jtomaselli@amadlozi.com
Mobile : +32 479 365 272

RALLY-TEAM ELF SHERCO DAKAR 2010 – 100 % MADE IN FRANCE !

TEAM ELF / SHERCO / MASSA / ROCKSTAR energy

TEAM