Iveco

In the absence of the mighty Kamaz, it's going to be a fascinating Dakar in the trucks but Martin Macik has enough experience to know that conquering the world's toughest rally will be anything but straightforward. In his 11th Dakar, the 33-year-old has a golden opportunity to become the first Czech winner since the late, great Karel Loprais in 2001, but he will still face stiff competition from the likes of Janus van Kasteren, Martin van den Brink and Karel's nephew Ales Loprais. Martin began his Dakar career as a navigator for Vlastimil Vildman in 2013, getting behind the wheel himself in 2015 and coming as high as fourth in 2021. For this 2023 edition, he will no longer be competing for the Big Shock Racing team he set up with his father Martin Sr six years ago. Instead he will be running under the MM Technology banner, driving a brand-new truck with a brand-new colour scheme: orange and black, instead of his customary yellow and black. It's been another busy year at the MM Technology workshops in Sedlcany, with Martin's team also building a new truck for Italian driver Claudio Bellina. At the Dakar, they will be providing support for the Firemen Dakar team and Kees Koolen, the man they helped lift the World Rally-Raid Championship title in 2022. Martin is convinced that his new machine, nicknamed ‘Čenda’, is one of the best his team has ever built. With his usual wingmen Frantisek Tomasek and David Svanda, the charismatic Czech is now hoping to make it a Dakar to remember as he goes in search of that elusive victory.