Former WorldSBK champion Carlos Checa has signed up to compete in the 2022 Dakar Rally - but in a buggy, not on a bike.

The Spaniard will have the experienced Ferran Marco as a co-driver in the event where he will drive for the Shield MD Rallye Sport squad.

“The truth is that I’ve been wanting to participate for a while in the Dakar and finally, this year all circumstances have been given for me to carry out this important challenge,” said Checa.

“Since I left the active competition as a SBK driver, I have not stopped running all kinds of tests on two and four wheelers and the Dakar is the best expression of engine competitions and the point of view of adventure and challenge.

“I’ve always been attracted to challenges and this is a challenge. I hope to live a great experience but do it competing and fighting for the best possible results. As the topic would say, I’m not going to Dakar not to walk, nor to do tourism, but to compete with a team of recognized prestige in the world of raids.”