Australian Rodney Faggotter has outlined plans to contest the 2020 Dakar Rally as a privateer with the support of Yamaha Motor Australia and its Yamaha Motor Finance and Insurance brands.

Faggotter has been a long-time Yamalube Yamaha Rally Factory Racing rider in the prestigious event, however his role also consisted of providing technical assistance for his teammates.

The Queenslander, who finished 16th in the 2018 edition, will be able to focus solely on his own campaign in his privateer effort, where he’ll pilot a rally-converted WR450F with the help of the Drag’On Rally team.

“This is the first time that I’ll be able to have a red hot go on a bike that is very close to factory spec,” said Faggotter. “Last year was pretty heartbreaking to find myself stranded in the middle of the big dunes.

“I was doing well, within the top 15. This time it will be different as a privateer, but I’ll be on the same bike that I know well. The goal is first of all to finish, but the aim is top 10.”

Scheduled to start on 5 January, the Dakar Rally will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2020 for the first time.