Pic: Antonin Vincent/ DPPI
did that,” concludes John.
The Dakar is extreme, not comparable to many events
in fact unique in its length, terrain and pace. John, a
veteran of more than ten Finke Desert Race’s perhaps
describes the Dakar best.
“Imagine doing one and a half Finke desert races,” he
suggests and explains that this would be held over three
days. “Every day for 10 days. Just make it more technical
in spots with crazy hill climbs, massive rock sections and
technical dunes.”
Such is the length of the Dakar that the winner isn’t
necessarily the fast rider day in, day out. This year’s
winner, Toby Price is a perfect example of this. Dakar
requires a level of endurance fitness and mental condi-
tioning.
“I don’t think it can really compare to anything in
Australia at the moment,” adds James. “I never raced the
Australian Safari or the Wynn’s Safari however I think
these events would have really tested people like Dakar
does.”
“No! Nothing compares,” John interjects. “I have done
6 Australasian Safaris, and none compared to Dakar.”
With a considerable amount of international racing
experience, Ben agrees that Dakar is unique, “it’s by far
much harder.”
“It’s the same intensity as the World Championship
rounds just longer stages and then the long road sections
each day,” he explains.
“The road sections were more dangerous than the off
road due to the lawless roads in Peru. The roads there
are like Mad max country. There is unfortunately no race
in Australia that could prepare an amateur rider for a
race of this nature.”
Mad Max country? An interesting insight from an
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