BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS IN BAJA SPAIN ARAGON
With less than two weeks to go until the start of the 37th Baja Espana Aragon and seven days before the closure of entries, the 2021 edition of the iconic rally is already expected to boast a record number of entries for its eighth consecutive time in Teruel. As of today, more than 130 entries have been received for the car and truck categories.
A star-studded field featuring Nasser Al-Attiyah, Sebastien Loeb, Nani Roma, Orlando Terranova and Yazeed Al-Rajhi will line up for the start of the Baja Espana Aragon in the cars category. The presence of three-time Dakar winner Al-Attiyah and nine-time World Rally Champion Loeb promises a fierce battle for the victory.
Terranova, the winner of the 2019 edition, aims to defend his title, this time as teammate of Loeb and Nani Roma. The Spaniard has the most victories in the history of the Baja Aragon (five in cars and four in bikes). Other serious contenders for the top positions include Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Dutchman Erik Van Loon, and local heroes Isidre Esteve, Jesus Calleja and Carlos Checa.
Mashael Alobaidan makes her debut in Europe
The 37th Baja Aragon will set the stage for the debut of Mashael Alobaidan, the first Saudi female driver to compete outside the Middle East as a part of her preparation for Dakar 2022. After Saudi women were granted the right to drive in 2018, the local motoring federation has taken on to support projects like Alobaidan’s.
However, she will not be the only female competitor in the race. Christine Giampaoli teams up with Rosa Romero as co-driver and Monica Plaza will also start in the cars category.
Martin Macik, the favourite
The Czech driver Martin Macik will go for his third victory in Teruel after his success in 2017 and 2019. The 31-year-old Czech continues his preparation for his ninth consecutive Dakar Rally in Aragon.
Other entries in the trucks category include Tomas Vratny, Maurik Van Den Heuvel, Javier Mariezkurrena, Alex Aguirregaviria and Javier Jacoste.
A Baja of champions
Since its creation in 1983, the Baja Espana Aragon has welcomed many of the most renowned champions of the motorsports world. Former Formula 1 driver and nine-time Le Mans winner Jackie Ickx started in the 1989 edition and won it duly.
World Rally Championship icons like Ari Vatanen and Timo Salonen have also paid a winning visit to the tracks of Aragon, and spectators could follow closely the driving of Jean-Louis Schlesser, Pierre Lartigue, Stephane Peterhansel, Nasser Al-Attiyah or Nani Roma – all of them are Dakar winners and have also triumphed in Baja Espana.
Marc Coma, Gerard Farres, Isidre Esteve, Joan Barreda and Nani Roma have written their names in the golden book of the Spanish World Cup event as the most successful stars in the bikes category.