#Canada #Dakar Rally #Valcourt #Can-Am #Maverick R

Can-Am's Outstanding Performance in the Dakar Rally

The 2025 Dakar Rally marked a significant milestone for Can-Am, the renowned brand under BRP Inc. Just recently, the company showcased its Maverick R platform, clinching a commendable second-place finish while also achieving ten stage wins. This remarkable performance highlights the Maverick R's durability and superiority in one of the toughest racing environments globally—the unforgiving Sahara, characterized by challenging terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.

Can-Am's success can be attributed to the exceptional skill of its factory team, notably Francisco "Chaleco" López, who emerged as a star of the event. López led the charge with five stage wins, securing the most victories among competitors in the T4 Side-by-Side Vehicle (SSV) Class. This year’s Dakar was no easy feat, with multiple tests and challenges confronting him and fellow team members.

The rally unfolded over a grueling 12-day period, covering a staggering 8,000 kilometers across the Saudi Arabian desert. The harsh conditions tested not only the machines but the drivers’ resilience as well. López, alongside his co-pilot Juan Pablo Latrach, started strong with a second-place finish in the inaugural stage. However, the 48-hour Chrono stage presented unforeseen hurdles, costing them precious time. Despite this setback, López showcased remarkable tenacity, winning multiple stages and progressively climbing the overall rankings.

“This was our first experience racing the Maverick R at the Dakar,” López remarked. “The initial stages were tough, and although we faced challenges, we demonstrated our capabilities by achieving victory after victory. This indicates a solid foundation for future wins in this competitive category.”

Sara Price, another prominent member of the Can-Am team, approached the 2025 event with high hopes after scoring a stage win in her rookie year at Dakar 2024. Despite facing difficulties early on that forced her and co-pilot Sean Berriman out of overall contention, Price displayed her driving prowess to claim three stage wins.

Reflecting on her experience, Price stated, “This year has been filled with ups and downs, but I am incredibly grateful for my supporting team. The Maverick R performed phenomenally. It’s disappointing to have missed overall contention, but we showed incredible spirit throughout.”

Jeremías González Ferioli also demonstrated grit during the competition. After a solid start, he encountered issues that knocked him out of the overall standings. Nevertheless, alongside co-pilot Pedro Gonzalo Rinaldi, he managed to reclaim momentum, achieving two back-to-back stage wins.

“It has been an emotional journey,” stated Ferioli. “While we faced roadblocks early on, we capitalized on the knowledge gained and achieved good races. Our team is strong, boasting an exciting performance with ten consecutive stage wins.”

Completing the lineup of impressive performances was rookie Hunter Miller, who struck a balance between resilience and skill. Overcoming the daunting challenges, Miller finished in a respectable tenth place, alongside co-pilot Andrew Short. The pair recorded a notable fourth-place finish in stage four, illustrating their capability to contend with leading racers.

“The Dakar has tested all my limits,” expressed Miller. “Completing every kilometer of this grueling race is an accomplishment in itself. I’m looking forward to utilizing the expertise gained throughout this experience, optimizing the Maverick R as we prepare for next year.”

The 2025 Dakar Rally serves as an illustrative example of Can-Am’s commitment to performance and competition, particularly with the Maverick R. With support from South Racing, this team showcased extraordinary prowess, seizing all but two stage wins. The advanced technology underlying the Maverick R, characterized by its tall-knuckle suspension, innovative transmission, and powerful engine, proved invaluable in navigating the challenging landscape.

As this edition of the Dakar Rally concludes, the team is left with a deep sense of accomplishment and valuable experiences, establishing a robust platform for their pursuit of excellence in future competitions. The lessons learned and successes realized will undoubtedly fuel Can-Am’s ambitions and preparations for next year’s thrilling challenges ahead.

About BRP

BRP Inc., the parent company of Can-Am, is a global frontrunner in powersports products with over 80 years of innovation and a dedicated consumer focus. Based in Quebec, Canada, BRP employs nearly 20,000 individuals and generates annual sales exceeding CA$10.4 billion across more than 130 countries.