Francisco Arredondo
“I really enjoyed my return to the Dakar. Being part of the Puma Energy team, surrounded by important figures, was a great experience. It was also a challenge for me because I hadn’t been in action for a long time. That’s why I made mistakes in the first stages. Things change, the pace of the race is different and I think I even forgot how hard the race is. Then I adapted and improved.
“This year I have dedicated time to the bike, which is my passion along with horses. I raced the Sonora Rally, the Baja Aragón and the Desafío Ruta 40. I wasn’t in the Morocco Rally, but it was for the best of reasons, as I became the father of a baby girl at that time. I then focused on training at a motocross track near my home and testing in the California desert. I hope that all this work will give me the confidence on the bike to go out and push hard on some special stages. I want a good result for my country.
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.