A project born in the heart of Abruzzo brings Iarno D’Orsogna’s talent to the world’s most iconic tracks, uniting passion, heritage, and ultimate challenge.
On Saturday, December 13, during the Christmas celebration at the Honda plant in Atessa, the project “Dakar 2027: Where Dreams Meet Legend” was officially unveiled. This initiative celebrates the story of the Abruzzo region, a territory now inextricably linked to the sands of the Dakar Rally. It serves as an ideal bridge between the hills where the Italian production plant was founded and the dunes that have always represented the ultimate epic challenge for every rider.
The project is the result of a strong synergy between Honda Motor Europe Ltd. Italia, Honda RedMoto, and Honda Italia, uniting expertise, passion, and vision. During the presentation, the CRF 450 RX Rally was revealed—a celebratory, race-ready model featuring an exclusive livery dedicated to Honda Italia.
The design is inspired by the historic NS125R Adriatico, the first motorcycle produced in Atessa to be exported to the Japanese market.
Distinguished guests present at the unveiling included Shinichi Ikeda (President of Honda Italia Industriale), Marcello Vinciguerra (Factory Director, Honda Italia Industriale), William Armuzzi (General Manager, Motorcycle Division, Honda Motor Europe Ltd. Italia), Egidio Motta (Owner of Honda RedMoto), and Michele Berera (Sales and Marketing Director, Honda RedMoto).
Marcello Vinciguerra:
“This is not just a sporting journey; it is a path that tells our story. Honda Italia was born in Abruzzo and, through Iarno, we are bringing the heart of this territory to the world’s most famous desert. It proves that dreams, when shared, become reality. The bond with our land and its talents is the force that drives us beyond every boundary”.
William Armuzzi:
“Dakar is synonymous with challenge, technology, and courage. With this project, we reaffirm the strength of our racing DNA and the strategic role of our partner network. Iarno will be the face of a challenge that blends innovation and determination, racing a bike that represents the pinnacle of our expertise. It will be a long journey of preparation and growth, guided by the passion that has always defined Honda”.
Egidio Motta:
“A new thread strengthens the relationship between our companies, and this bond bears the name of Iarno D’Orsogna. His presence is an added value that goes far beyond sports, becoming a symbol of dedication, talent, and shared identity. Thanks to this project, RedMoto and Honda will continue to grow together, fueled by the same spirit of collaboration and vision that has guided us so far”.
The road to Dakar 2027 begins now and will continue throughout 2026 with a series of key international racing events:
• March 17-22, 2026: BP Ultimate Rally-Raid (Portugal) – Part of the World Rally-Raid Championship.
• May 24-29, 2026: Desafío Ruta 40 (Argentina) – A fundamental and demanding stage of the W2RC.
• March-September 2026: Italian Motorally Championship.
The project is also supported by five local sponsors who have enthusiastically embraced this adventure: New Graphic, Mypla, Travaglini Group, Fisem, and Tecnomec Sud, further demonstrating the deep connection between Honda and the local community.
Guided by Soichiro Honda’s “The Power of Dreams,” Honda continues to transform visions into reality. Today, that dream takes to the desert to become a legend.
