Australian off-road specialist, Rodney Faggotter, will join the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team to make up the squad’s four-rider line-up.

Making his debut aboard the WR450F Rally machine at the OiLibya Morocco Rally on 1 October, the two-time Australian Safar winner is expected to be a strong asset for the upcoming Dakar Rally event.

“I’m very excited for this great opportunity Yamaha has offered me, to be part of their official rally team,” said Faggotter. “The people who form the team are all highly experienced and I think we have all the right tools to be up front.

“I spent a couple of weeks testing with the team in July and the atmosphere was amazing from the get go. We decided to give the Morocco Rally a go so that I can find my place within the team and get more seat time ahead of the Dakar.”

One of Rodney’s greatest advantages is his mechanical skills, assuming his role as a water carrier, the Australian has his sights set on providing the maximum amount of support to his teammates, while also battling to bring his own WR450F to the top of the final standings.

“From my part I’ll do my best to support Hélder Rodrigues and Adrien Van Beveren,” he added. “If everything goes well I’m also looking forward to seeing how my own results go.”

Kicking off with a short Prologue in Agadir on 2 October, the 2016 edition of the Morocco event will see participants set off for a five-stage adventure of 1,885 kilometres in the heart of the north African country.