11 December 2020 | Features
When Rieju took on the former GASGAS model platform and began producing their new range of two-stroke enduro motorcycles it was all kinda low-key with a focus on getting the ball rolling in dealers. Throughout 2020 it was the same story with their racing programme outside of their native Spain until, boom, they announced a three-rider team to compete in the 2021 Dakar Rally.
It surprised many. Wouldn’t it be less costly setting up a team to race in EnduroGP or employ a high-profile rider to take the bike to WESS Hard Enduro World Championship races? (There a couple available right now at least…) The 300cc two-stroke bike is part of Rieju’s “Hard Enduro” range and surely getting three riders to the Dakar start line in Saudi Arabia is an expensive business.