Image: Supplied.

GasGas Factory Racing has announced the signing of Daniel Sanders for the upcoming 2021 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship and the 2022 Dakar Rally.

The Australian made his debut in the Dakar Rally this year as a KTM Factory Racing supported rider, where he put on a stunning performance to wind up fourth overall for top rookie honours.

“Being the face of GasGas in rally is really cool,” Sanders commented. “I’ve not been in rally that long so to be picked up and put on a factory team this early in my career is awesome.

“I’m so looking forward to racing this year as part of this team. It’s been such a long time since the Dakar and with the world championship coming up really soon, I just can’t wait to be competing again. I’m excited for the future, the opportunity that I have, and it’s going to be a great year of racing.”

GasGas rally team manager, Jordi Viladoms, commented: “It’s great to have such a talented, young rider racing for GASGAS this season. Daniel is very new to rally and very inexperienced compared to his rivals, but he has picked it up really quickly.

“He is a very quick learner as we saw at the Dakar earlier this year. Placing fourth in your first Dakar does not come from luck, it comes from hard work, preparation, and ability to overcome all the challenges that only the Dakar can provide.

“Daniel is fast, motivated and very capable so we expect to see him battling for success in this year’s FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship and then it’s onto the Dakar next year.”

The ISDE champion will make his debut aboard the GasGas RC 450F next week at the world championship opener, the Rally Kazakhstan.