Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team Gears Up to Defend Title at TransAnatolia Rally

The Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team is set to defend its crown at the 14th edition of the TransAnatolia Rally, which takes place from September 1st to 7th in Turkey. Following a historic 1-2 finish in 2023, the team is determined to secure back-to-back victories, with experienced rider Alessandro Botturi leading the charge.

Last year’s edition saw the team make history as Pol Tarrés became the first rider on a twin-cylinder adventure bike to win the TransAnatolia. Teammate Botturi followed closely behind, ensuring a dominant finish for Yamaha. This year, the Italian veteran aims to repeat that success as he returns to the competition aboard his Ténéré 700 World Rally, equipped with a GYTR kit, taking on a field of formidable 450cc prototype machines.

The Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team enters the 2024 rally season with considerable momentum. After securing a double podium finish at the Africa Eco Race in January and a commanding victory at the Morocco Desert Challenge—where Tarrés once again rewrote the record books by becoming the first twin-cylinder adventure bike rider to win the event by over two hours—the team is confident heading into TransAnatolia.

Botturi, a seasoned rally raid competitor, is keen to continue his winning streak. “Every year, the competition gets tougher, and it will be a long race over seven days without any rest,” said Botturi. “The route features a mix of rocky mountainous sections and fast gravel tracks, plus the unpredictable weather can add another challenge. I’ve been training hard and can’t wait to return to the Ténéré. I’ll always give it my all to secure the best result.”

Joining Botturi is young Italian Motorally Champion Matteo Drusiani, making his debut in an international rally competition. Drusiani, part of the Ténéré Spirit Experience (TSE) program, will ride alongside Botturi as he gains valuable experience in rally raids. “It’s a great opportunity for Matteo to test himself at an international level,” said Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team Manager Marc Bourgeois. “He’s a talented rider, and we’re excited to see how he handles this challenge.”

In addition to Drusiani, three other TSE riders will compete in the Racing category, while five more will participate in the Raid category. This unique opportunity allows these riders to experience the thrill of a rally raid alongside the official team without the pressure of competing against the clock.

The 2024 TransAnatolia promises to be a grueling test of endurance and skill. Covering more than 2,000 kilometers of challenging terrain, the rally will take competitors from the port city of Mersin in southern Turkey to the eastern city of Van. Riders will traverse rocky mountain passes, navigate fast gravel tracks, and contend with unpredictable weather conditions, including rain and colder temperatures at high altitudes.

For the Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team, the TransAnatolia is an essential milestone as they prepare for the upcoming Africa Eco Race later this year. Bourgeois emphasized the event’s significance: “It’s great to go into the TransAnatolia Rally after the summer break. It allows our riders and crew to get some competition experience and test new bike settings before the Africa Eco Race. We’re excited to be back in action and look forward to another successful rally.”

With Botturi leading the charge and a fresh wave of young talent supporting him, the Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team is well-positioned to defend their title and make another mark in rally raid history. To see all the action and behind-the-scenes footage from the team, head over to the Yamaha Racing YouTube channel for the full video highlights:

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