Sherco Factory

Waiting for Andalucía

Lorenzo Santolino started out as an extremely promising enduro rider. Junior world champion in 2010, he continued to progress in the discipline to reach the podium in the Enduro1 category. Then in 2017, spotted by team manager David Casteu, himself a former cross-country world champion in 2010, ‘Santo’ made his debut with the Sherco factory team. Following two DNFs in 2019 and 2020, in 2021, to the delight of his manager and the French brand who’d put so much faith in him, the Spaniard finished the Dakar in 6th place. Always at ease on home turf, he has posted his best results on the Andalucía Rally with a 3rd in 2020 and a 2nd in 2021, while fighting for victory with his compatriot Joan Barreda. Last January, ‘Santo’ was on track to at least equal his previous best Dakar result, hovering between 5th and 7th place in the overall standings, with three Top 5 special stage finishes. Then an error on stage 8 dashed his hopes, resulting in an 11 th place finish in Jeddah. That was also the result he obtained in Abu Dhabi for his first participation, which he approached with caution so as to familiarise himself that race’s unique conditions. At the Rallye du Maroc ‘Santo’ will take the start for the fourth time. There are five riders within a handful of points in the provisional general classification between 7th and 11th place. If ‘Santo’ can get a good result in Morocco and get on the podium for the final at his home round the Sherco factory rider could be well placed in the final rankings.