Francisco Arredondo
“Due to a navigation error, I had a serious crash in the last Dakar. I injured my knee and sustained leg injuries that required surgery, which led to six months of recovery. I was well cared for, both at the time of the crash and afterward. I was always supported by family, friends, a team of people, and my trainers.”
“Some people ask me why I’m competing in another Dakar, my 16th. This race has brought so much to my life that it truly fascinates me. It’s adventure at 100%, and that’s why I keep coming back. Some of my fellow motorbike competitors are switching categories, and I might do the same in the near future.”
“As for the 2025 route, I think the organisers have made important decisions for safety, such as providing alternate routes. We’ll finish in the Empty Quarter with a never-before-seen finale. My goal? I hope to make it to the end. There’s not much strategy here… just set out every day and hope the stars align.”
About me
Francisco Arredondo is entering a new stage in his sports career. His return to the Dakar in 2023, after a two-year hiatus, was a significant experience that demanded readjustment to the motorcycle, navigation, and an intense pace of competition. Francisco is a distinguished Guatemalan, a recognized figure in his country and Central America, with a track record that includes climbing Everest in 2008, speed records on motorcycles, numerous marathons, legendary races, and a total of 14 participations in the Dakar since his debut in 2004. Beyond his passion for sports in general and horses in particular, Francisco has dedicated many hours to the motorcycle in the 2023 season, refining navigation and participating in various specialty competitions such as the Sonora Rally and the Desafío Ruta 40, where he secured a place in the top ten, in addition to the Baja Aragón. A very joyous event, the birth of his third child, led him to cancel his participation in the Rally of Morocco, prompting him to intensify his training in the months leading up to the Dakar, both on motocross tracks and in excursions in the California desert. Once again, Francisco will ride a KTM 450 from the Bas World KTM Racing team, a group of notable riders whom he believes “have all the talent necessary to win the Dakar.” His new adventure in Saudi Arabia will be made possible with the support of his family—especially his wife and father—his friend Mario Flores, a great support in the race, and his personal coach Ed Smith.