Dakar: another amazing year for world’s toughest

By now you’ll likely know the 2018 Dakar saw the first victory for an Austrian, Matthais Walkner (below). For the Austrian manufacturer, KTM, it was their 17th win in a row. The result could easily have been different. As is always the case in the best of Dakars the distances raced, mixed with extraordinary navigation challenges, were incredible. And competition was fierce: arguably 12…15 riders could genuinely have won the 2018 Dakar. However, the world’s biggest off-road event can bite you hard – 2017 winner Sam Sunderland went out in the first week after a heavy landing damaged his back. Things could have been so different for Yamaha and Adrien Van Beveren too. But for a cruel high-speed crash when an Argentinian riverbed ejected him from his bike, the then rally leader looked good for the overall win. It was really good to see Sherco, Hero and Gasgas competitive: former enduro top men Johnny Aubert and Oriel Mena were sixth for Gasgas and seventh for Hero respectively. Sherco’s best rider came home 11th. Vlogger Lyndon Poskitt was a hugely entertaining Youtube follow all through the event. The gritty Yorkshireman finished a fantastic second in the DIY, Malle Moto class and a highly impressive 33rd overall. Fellow British rider Max Hunt finished 37th.