For the Dakar’s introduction to Saudi Arabia, Laia Sanz will head up the factory GasGas entry with the new RC450F.
Begin press release:

Laia Sanz and the GasGas Factory Racing team are tonight looking forward to the start of the 2020 Dakar Rally after successfully completing a pre-event shakedown and event administrative controls. Riding the all-new GasGas RC 450F, Laia will start her 10th Dakar Rally when she begins the opening 752-kilometre stage on Sunday, January 5.

Laia Sanz will debut the new GasGas RC 450F at the 2020 Dakar Rally
The 12-stage event covers more than 7,800km including 5,118km of timed specials
This 42nd edition will be held in the Middle East for the first time in its history

Laia Sanz: ?It is always an exciting time, just before the start of Dakar. We had already completed a lot of testing on the bike in Morocco in December, but it?s been good to see and ride the terrain here in Saudi Arabia. So far, my feeling on the bike has been very good. I think once the race has started, we will see lots of different styles of terrain, and for sure a really challenging Dakar. My first impressions here have been good, the country is very beautiful. To join GasGas for their new rally project is motivating, I?m so happy to be representing the brand here and throughout the season. As everyone knows, it?s really tough to finish the Dakar and my goal is to be inside the top 15. The level of riders is really high right now and I will need to be smart to have ...