Wednesday, July 6, 2022
MCNews
  • NEWSLatest
  • REVIEWS
  • LATEST BIKES
  • RACING
  • FEATURES
  • TOURING
  • PRODUCTS
  • MEDIA
    • GALLERY
  • MORE
    • POPULAR ARTICLES
    • MCNEWS COMMENTS
    • MAIN FORUM
    • CONTACT US
    • ABOUT US
No Result
View All Result
MCNews
  • NEWSLatest
  • REVIEWS
  • LATEST BIKES
  • RACING
  • FEATURES
  • TOURING
  • PRODUCTS
  • MEDIA
    • GALLERY
  • MORE
    • POPULAR ARTICLES
    • MCNEWS COMMENTS
    • MAIN FORUM
    • CONTACT US
    • ABOUT US
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
MCNews

Rafal Sonik wins 2015 ATV Dakar Crown

Trev by Trev
January 21, 2015
in ATV / SSV News, Enduro / Rally, Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, Yamaha News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare

Rafal Sonik Claims 2015 ATV Dakar Crown for Yamaha

Rafal Sonik has claimed his first Dakar victory on the Yamaha Raptor 700. Securing two stage wins, four second places and one third place ensured he was a favourite to win the 2015 Dakar. Sonik was a contender from the outset, finishing the race with almost a three hour lead over his closest rival.

The Polish rider had a consistent start to this year’s Dakar, which proved to be key. Finding his groove over the first three stages, he soon took over the lead in the general standings from fellow Yamaha Raptor 700 Rider Ignacio Casale and dominated the fourth and fifth stage.

The quad category turned into a heated duel between the two Yamaha riders and as expected Casale didn’t give up easily. Sonik managed to hold on to the overall lead for most of the Rally and managed to build his four-minute overall lead to almost three hours as key rivals withdrew.

Over the last three stages, Sonik’s biggest enemies became the elements. Rain and storms made the roads slippery, but he kept his focus and cautiously cruised back to Buenos Aires to claim victory.

Sonik’s passion for Dakar and quad racing was never shaken as he waited seven years to see his dream come true. In 2000, he created Poland’s quad federation, ATV Polska. Nine years later he entered his first Dakar, finishing in third place, an amazing achievement that he repeated in 2013 when he also founded the Poland National Team.

Last year ‘Super Sonik’ came very close to his first win, but in the end had to be satisfied with second. Having matured from his previous Dakar experiences, he learned many valuable lessons about racing and himself, which he used to his advantage this year.

Rafal Sonik – 1st / 57h18’39 – “I’ve been looking forward to this moment for seven years and I never stopped believing. This victory’s for everyone who dreams of the Dakar but can’t take part in it. I want to share this victory with all the people in my team, who’ve never stopped dreaming of the Dakar. I think they deserve this victory too.”

Eric De Seynes – Operational Director, Yamaha Motor Europe – “The Dakar remains possibly the toughest challenge available to us in our racing activities in the world. To successfully complete it is a great achievement; to win your class is exceptional. Yamaha Motor Europe is very proud of Rafal’s success in this year’s Dakar, he has proved that with determination and a good machine, you can beat the best. He has shown himself as a real contender over recent years so we knew it was only a matter of time before he put the Raptor 700 onto the top step of the Dakar podium. More so than any other race, the Dakar also requires a very strong, committed and professional team to bring the rider home. Congratulations to Rafal and also the Sonik Team!”

Rafal Sonik Claims 2015 ATV Dakar Crown for Yamaha
Rafal Sonik Claims 2015 ATV Dakar Crown for Yamaha

Dakar Rally 2015:  ATV Overall Ranking

RelatedPosts

Toby Price moves into top five overall after Dakar 2022 Stage 2

Toby Price in Dakar Stage 2 top five | Sanders opens stage, finishing P28

January 4, 2022
Australian Daniel Sanders retains the lead into Dakar Stage 1

Sanders backs up Stage 1A victory winning 334 km 1B stage to extend Dakar lead

January 3, 2022

1. Rafal Sonik, POL (Yamaha) 57:18:39

2. Jeremias González Ferioli, ARG (Yamaha) 60:13:29

3. Walter Nosiglia, BOL (Honda) 61:01:35

4. Nelson Sanabria, PRY (Yamaha) 61:28:36

5. Christophe Declerck, FRA (Yamaha) 63:07:19

6. Daniel Domaszewski, ARG (Honda) 65:54:49

7. Sebastián Palma, CHL (Can-AM) 67:48:53

8. Santiago Hansen, ARG (Honda) 70:43:09

9. Hannes Saaijman, ZAF (Yamaha) 70:47:17

10. André Suguita , BRA (Honda) 79:39:53

Rafal Sonik Claims 2015 ATV Dakar Crown for Yamaha
Rafal Sonik Claims 2015 ATV Dakar Crown for Yamaha
Rafal Sonik Claims 2015 ATV Dakar Crown for Yamaha
Rafal Sonik Claims 2015 ATV Dakar Crown for Yamaha
Tags: DakarRafal SonikRaptor
Trev

Trev

Motojourno - Founder of MCNews.com.au - Australia's leading resource for motorcycle news, reviews and race coverage for over 20 years.

Related Articles

TC Max Back in Stock + BONUS Fast Charger⚡

TC Max Back in Stock + BONUS Fast Charger⚡

July 6, 2022
Motorcycle Recall Round-Up: Tricity 155 | KLX230A/G

Motorcycle Recall Round-Up: Tricity 155 | KLX230A/G

July 6, 2022
2023 Triumph Modern Classic colours & pricing

2023 Triumph Modern Classic colours & pricing

July 6, 2022
All category round up from German GP at Sachsenring

Pecco Bagnaia crashes car then blows over limit

July 6, 2022
Load More

SOCIALS

  • 7.2k Followers

SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS

INCASE YOU MISSED

AFT Singles Start at the 2022 New York Short Track - Image by Kristen Lassen

Moto News | WSX | MX | Enduro | Flat Track | Long Track

July 5, 2022
Daniel Sanders takes the Hattah Desert Race 2022 victory

Recap and results from 2022 Hattah Desert Race

July 4, 2022
Motorcycle Recall Round-Up: Tricity 155 | KLX230A/G

Motorcycle Recall Round-Up: Tricity 155 | KLX230A/G

July 6, 2022

GET LATEST NEWS IN YOUR INBOX

MCNews

MCNEWS.COM.AU is a specialist on-line resource that provides motorcycle news for motorcyclists. MCNews covers all areas of interest for the motorcycling public including news, reviews and comprehensive racing coverage.

© 2022 MCNews

No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
    • ALL NEWS
    • ALL NEWS CONDENSED
    • POPULAR ARTICLES
    • BMW News
    • Honda News
    • Husqvarna News
    • KTM News
    • Suzuki News
    • Yamaha News
    • Triumph News
    • CFMOTO News
    • Ducati News
    • Moto Guzzi News
    • Royal Enfield News
    • Kawasaki News
    • Aprilia News
    • Harley News
    • Indian News
    • MV Agusta News
    • Benelli News
    • GASGAS News
    • BETA News
    • Norton News
    • Victory News
    • EBR News
    • Rieju News
    • E-Bike News
    • Scooter News
    • LAMS News
    • ATV / SSV News
  • REVIEWS
    • All Bike Reviews
    • LAMS Reviews
    • KTM Reviews
    • Honda Reviews
    • Yamaha Reviews
    • Triumph Reviews
    • BMW Reviews
    • Suzuki Reviews
    • CFMOTO Reviews
    • Ducati Reviews
    • Kawasaki Reviews
    • Husqvarna Reviews
    • Aprilia Reviews
    • Benelli Reviews
    • BETA Reviews
    • E-Bike Reviews
    • EBR Reviews
    • GAS GAS Reviews
    • Harley Reviews
    • Indian Reviews
    • Kymco Reviews
    • Moto Guzzi Reviews
    • MV Agusta Reviews
    • Norton Reviews
    • Royal Enfield Reviews
    • Scooter Reviews
    • Sherco Reviews
    • Victory Reviews
    • Rieju Reviews
  • NEW PRODUCTS
  • LATEST BIKES
    • ALL LATEST BIKES NEWS
    • BMW
    • Honda
    • Husqvarna
    • KTM
    • Suzuki
    • Yamaha
    • Triumph
    • CFMOTO
    • Ducati
    • Moto Guzzi
    • Royal Enfield
    • Kawasaki
    • Aprilia
    • Harley
    • Indian
    • MV Agusta
    • Benelli
    • GAS GAS
    • BETA
    • Norton
    • Victory
    • E-Bike
    • Scooters
    • LAMS
    • Rieju
  • RACING
    • ALL RACING
    • ROAD
      • MotoGP
      • WSBK
      • ASBK
      • BSB
      • Real Road / TT
      • Historic Road Racing
      • Japan / Asian Road Racing
      • Endurance Road Racing
      • American Road Racing
      • NZ Road Racing
      • Supermoto
      • FIM Junior GP & MiniGP
    • DIRT
      • Supercross
      • AMA MX
      • Australian Pro MX
      • MXGP
      • Enduro / Rally
      • Dirt / Flat Track
      • Speedway
  • FEATURES
  • TOURING
  • GALLERY
  • LATEST COMMENTS
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT US
  • COMMUNITY FORUM

© 2022 MCNews