Harley Davidson has taken on a new off-road challenge, confirming they are teaming up with Dakar Veteran Joan Pedrero once again to compete in the upcoming Africa Eco Race on the Pan America 1250.

The grueling rally raid will surely test man and machine. Created in 2008, the 12-stage race was born in a vacuum left in Northern Africa when the famous Paris-Dakar rally departed the continent for safer routes in South America. For the upcoming edition, Africa Eco Race participants will cross the challenging landscapes of two continents, including 6,500 km through Africa. Pedrero will be racing in the Maxi-Trail category. 

This isn’t Pedrero’s first rodeo competing off-road with the big ADV machine. The Dakar rider has been collaborating with Harley-Davidson since the introduction of the Pan America, and during this time he has pushed the 150 horsepower Adventure Touring model to the limit. Throughout 2023, Pedrero has taken part in many races and challenges across Europe with the Pan America 1250, including the Basella Race where he successfully finished in sixth position in the overall category. In April, he competed in the demanding Baja Extremadura race, where he dominated the Maxi Trail category, and in July he completed the Baja Aragón race winning in the Maxi Trail category. 

Previously, Harley has boasted about racing the 534-lb Pan America with no modifications and it remains to be seen if they will continue to do so for the upcoming Africa Eco Race. Regardless, Pedrero has been training day and night for the big challenge and can be seen on his social media channels maneuvering the big machine like a dirtbike during his practice sessions.

Kolja Rebstock, Harley-Davidson Regional Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa said, “Adventure and performance are the heart of our brand, and we can think of no better way to showcase the versatility of the Pan America than entering in the Africa Eco Race. We are excited to be taking on this next challenge with Joan Pedrero after the great success we have had throughout 2023.”

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The race, in its 15th edition, will start in Monaco on December 30, 2023 and end in Dakar on January 14, 2024. 

Photos Victor Gaudo and Harley-Davidson