KIWI RIDER 02 2020 VOL1 | Page 97

DEADLY DAKAR: SECOND RIDER DIES M ore sad news emerged from the Dakar Rally camp, with the organisers of the Rally – the Amaury Sport Organisation or ASO – confirming that Dutch rider and former Malle Moto class winner Edwin Straver passed away from injuries sustained during the 2020 Rally in Saudi Arabia. 48-year-old Straver was taking part in his third Dakar. He finished 30th overall and first in the Original by Motul class (AKA the hard- core Malle Moto class) in 2019. He entered the same class this year. Straver crashed 124km into the timed sector of stage 11 (Shubaytah-Haradh) B on Thursday, 16th January 2020. The medical team immediately dispatched by helicopter found Edwin in cardiac arrest and proceeded with resuscitation efforts. He was then airlifted to hospital in Riyadh where he was admitted to the intensive care unit before being later repatriated back to the Netherlands. Sadly, however, the Dutch rider was unable to overcome the extent of his injuries and passed away. This this makes the start of the new Saudi Arabia-based era of the Dakar a deadly one, with Portuguese rider Paulo Goncalves also killed in the 2020 event. udding young designer and KR reader Ray Heron, age 33½ from Wainuiomata, sent in his version of his favourite Kiwi Rider cover. We think it’s a great effort, especially liking the choice of colours... but can you do any better? Send us yours via email to coverdesign@ kiwirider.co.nz KIWI RIDER 95