Dakar rookie, but not as we know it
She’s the motorcycle world champion you’ve probably never heard of and now Jane Daniels will be lining up to race Dakar for the very first time. Racing for the Fantic Motor team she is stepping into the unknown with only very limited rally experience, but don’t let that fool you because in terms of top flight competition she is a veteran. Racing since the age of 12 the 28-year-old is a four-time women’s world enduro champion and was unbeaten on her way to the title in 2023.
Despite her incredible success she remains humble as she faces the challenge of racing Dakar.
“It feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’ve always watched and followed it, but it was never on the cards to compete in it because up
‘It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity’
until this year Enduro has always been my hobby, which I do between my job. Dakar just isn’t something me and my dad could afford to do out of a back of a van like we do the Enduro world championship.”
With just one rally under her belt, the Rally Du Maroc, she remains on a very steep learning curve.
“My introduction to rally was a non-championship race in Tunisia and it was a lot of fun. A prologue and then four days of road book. It was a completely new adventure for me and such a buzz. I’ve been racing enduro for years, but the rally was new and fresh and I really enjoyed it.
“I have no pressure from Fantic to go out there and amaze the world, but I’ve no doubt that the competitive streak in me means I’ll be keeping an eye on the results each day,” she said. “But the ultimate goal is to finish and experience it – hopefully with a smile on my face.
“The lack of sleep does worry me because I like my eight hours! I don’t think I’ll be getting that, but adrenaline will probably drag me through. I’m exited, but I’ve no doubt that I’ll be absolutely destroyed by the end of the two weeks.”