Road racing star James Hillier has announced his intent to take part in the world’s hardest off-road race, the Dakar Rally.

Hillier, who remains with the Rich OMG squad, will contest a number of ancillary off-road events in preparation for the gruelling rally in 2022 which sees riders regularly cover over 500 miles per day over a 12-day endurance event containing timed stages.

Next season will see the Bournemouth rider return to the roads and contest the three big internationals with the Rich OMG team.

“I’m really pleased to continue with Rich Energy OMG Racing for the 2021 season,” said Hillier.

“Although we weren’t able to race the bike this season due to the pandemic, I feel really settled within the team and our testing programme alongside the British Superbike riders at Monteblanco and Jerez went very well.

“We’ve now got more time to continue developing the bike ahead of next season’s racing, to ensure we’re right on the pace once things do get underway.

“Being involved with the Dakar project with Rich Energy OMG Racing is seriously exciting.

“It’s a massive task but I have full faith in the team and can’t wait to continue our preparations with some more testing and a few rally events as soon as possible to really settle into this new challenge.”

Becoming the first TT winner and only the second TT rider ever to take on the world’s most extreme off-road sport, Hillier will also compete at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and Dubai International Baja events, subject to ongoing Coronavirus restrictions.

With the 2020 Isle of Man TT cancelled in the wake of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the team are also pleased to confirm he will be returning for the 2021 roads season as part of Rich Energy OMG Racing’s 2021 TT debut.