Stanovnik, who finished 26th last year, is theoretically considered a top-15 motorcyclist in the gruelling race but his budget is well below those of the top contestants.

Accordingly, he has said his goal is to finish among the top 20 and would be "very pleased" if he made it among the top 15. His best finish so far was 13th place in 2007.

Stanovnik described the race recently as "one of the most challenging in the history of Dakar", as the legs will be tough and demanding to navigate, in particular for motorcyclists.

The race, which starts and finishes in Buenos Aires, will take motorcyclists over 9,295 kilometres through 17 January.

Stanovnik will thus take a three-week break from his day job as mayor of Log-Dragomer, a prosperous Ljubljana suburb, a post he won in 2014.