Astana team will put forth six vehicles at Dakar-2013

Kazakhstan team Astana will take part in the world most prestigious Dakar-2013 rally race consisting of six vehicles, Tengrinews.kz reports, citing Arthur Ardavichus, the last Dakar bronze winner. “It will be three trucks. Traditionally I will compete on a KamAZ truck. Astana team will also ride motorcycles. Zhanat Zhalimbetov, Baurzhan Issabayev and Aydyn Rakhimbayev will drive off-road vehicles. Pavel Mamontov and Rustam Shaimordanov will ride motorcycles,” Ardavichus said. The teams will start training in the United Arab Emirates in the beginning of March. As for Ardavichus, he is going to take part in the World Motor-Boating Cup this season. “I will reach the third stage for sure. I am not going to set any goals beforehand. Everything can go upside down because of one mistake in sport, but I am going to show a decent result,” Astana racer said. Astana won bronze medals in trucks class in Dakar-2012 race. However, initially participation of Kazakhstan team in the next year’s Dakar rally was unclear. Later on Astana gained support of Samruk-Kazyna Fund and started training for the new season. Ardavichus hasn’t set Astana goals in Dakar-2013 race yet.