Desafio Guarani: heading for Paraguay 05.03.2014: photo caption: Victor Pecci, Sports Minister / Marcela Bacigalipo, Tourism Minister / Nelson Sanabria, quad driver / Gregory Murac, A.S.O.

photo caption: Victor Pecci, Sports Minister / Marcela Bacigalipo, Tourism Minister / Nelson Sanabria, quad driver / Gregory Murac, A.S.O.   



For the first edition of the Desafio Guarani, the riders and crews will cross Paraguay from the north to the south, from Asuncion to Encarnacion via Filadelfia, in the province of Chaco. Registrations are now underway.
 

Asuncion has donned new colours since yesterday, with the official launch of the registration campaign for the first edition of the Desafio Guarani, which will take place from 21st to 24th July. The gestation of the latest arrival in the Dakar Series family had already been announced on Argentinean soil, during scrutineering in Rosario before the most recent Dakar rally.


However, this time it is in Paraguay that the race’s route was unveiled. For the Occasion, Paraguay’s Minister of Sport Victor Pecci welcomed the journalists, riders and drivers who are closely following the arrival of this new event in their country.


The former finalist in the French Tennis Open at Roland-Garros, now without his trademark earring and having retired his racket, is just as skilful with words as he was on the court when it comes to raising enthusiasm for the Desafio Guarani: “It is an honour to see that Paraguay has managed to win this trust, to host an event and welcome elite sportspersons. We have signed up for two years, with the hope of really hitting the heights with this race”.


His government colleague in charge of the Ministry of Tourism, Marcela Bacigalupo, is relying on Paraguay’s assets to attract riders and drivers as well as the television viewers who will be following their exploits: “The geography of our country is ideal for developing this type of race and it will also be an opportunity for us to show the hospitality and warmth of the Paraguayan people”.


On the tracks, the concept of hospitality will also be mixed with the notion of competition for Nelson Sanabria, the nation’s sole representative to have finished the Dakar last January (12th in the quad category): “Personally, it’s a privilege to be able to ride in front of my home crowds after my experience in January.


 I’m sure I will enjoy plenty of support from the spectators, but I also realise that this time there will be many other Paraguayan competitors trying to finish in front of me, in addition to the major favourites for the race. It’s a huge challenge”.
 


The stages of the Desafio Guarani:


21st July: Asuncion - Filadelfia
22nd July: Filadelfia - Asuncion
23rd July: Asuncion - Encarnacion
24th July: Encarnacion - Encarnacion
 

More information on www.desafioguarani.com
   

A.S.O. photo  Senatur