Max Hunt’s Malle Moto battle
For 53-year-old Richard Main his entry into Dakar has been motivated by the fact that he’s done practically everything else on his extensive bike racing bucket list. Starting out in motocross at the age of six, Main won the British and European amateur MX championships in the mid-1980s, racing for the official Kawasaki and Yamaha teams. He also competed in grass track and rode trials before turning his attention to enduro.
His search for new challenges led him into the extreme enduro arena and he’s raced at Erzberg and ridden at Red Bull Romaniacs ten times. Main’s journey to Dakar has been the best part of five years in the making with serious momentum beginning three years ago when his local dealer suggested pulling a team together.
“I’ve had a great relationship with Tim at Redline Motorcycles. About three years ago we were talking about Dakar and he said to me that if I could get myself there he would supply the bike. He was good to his word and I got a brand new 2018 KTM Rally bike about a month ago.” Main formed his own team and has his long-time mechanic and a friend joining him on the adventure in the Mercedes Sprinter support vehicle. “I looked at paying to be part of a team and buying a support package,
‘I considered Malle Moto but that’s a bit Billy no mates’
but I’m used to doing things my way, so I’m taking my own. I did consider doing Malle Moto, but that’s a bit Billy no mates and I wanted to have a team and have people to share the whole experience with.
“As for the riding, the Dakar has become more technical which will suit me. This year’s race is going to be 70% sand, which also doesn’t bother me because I did a lot of sand riding early in my racing career.
“I’ve been training hard, swimming at least two miles a day, but I know it’s not just the riding but everything else that will be tough. For me it’s all about getting to the finish. I think unless you are one of the guys in the top 20 you’re just there racing yourself.”