Amateur biker, Robert Gibbon is a step closer to fulfilling his dream of taking part in one of the biggest motorcycle endurance races in the world, the Dakar Rally.
The Buccleuch resident recently completed the 208km Morocco Merzouga Rally, an event which continues to live up to its reputation as the ‘Dakar Academy’.
Gibbon was excited to have finished the rally although it was tough. On the second last day, he rode with a partially dislocated shoulder and was in immense pain.
“I could not hold on to the throttle as I had lost feeling in my hand, so I taped my hand to the throttle which helped until I fell and was attached to the bike,” he said.
Gibbon was well prepared for the rally and is motivated to practise more before the Dakar in 2020. “I did approximately 54 000km of off-road riding in the last year, that’s the equivalent of riding from Johannesburg to Morocco five times,” he said.
“I would like to do the Rally Du Maroc in October. It consists of mostly dunes and will be great training for Dakar. It all depends on finances. I desperately need to find a sponsor to help get me there. If I can’t, I will attend the Kalahari Rally here in South Africa.”
Gibbon has partnered with Dr Khosi Ngema Foundation to raise funds for the foundation and to also fulfil his dream. The foundation is holding a competition in which a new KTM 790 Adventure R motorbike and other great prizes can be won.
“We are supporting the foundation to [provide] 100 000 school bags to learners around the country for Nelson Mandela’s centenary,” said Gibbon.
Applicants are encouraged to enter with Zapper or visit www.amateur2dakar.co.za to support this amazing initiative.
“It’s going to be a lot more hard work and sacrifice leading up to Dakar 2020 but I will get there,” Gibbon concluded.
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