“I want to reach the finish line and become a Dakar Legend”

He may only be 32 years of age, but Milan Engel is already gearing up for his tenth Dakar. Before discovering rally-raid, the talented Czech biker enjoyed a great deal of success in enduro, and now boasts over 25 national titles on two wheels. He got his first taste of the Dakar in 2015, showcasing his potential by finishing as the fourth-fastest rookie in 30th overall. He has taken part in every edition since, experiencing all the highs and lows you would expect to find on the world’s toughest rally. He was on course for a Top 20 finish in 2016 but suffered heartache when his engine failed two days before the finish. He has nevertheless gone all the way in six of his eight appearances, coming as high as 15th in 2019. At Dakar 2022, Milan put in a particularly impressive performance in Original by Motul, finishing second behind the defending champion Arunas Gelazninkas. His excellent record at the FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), where he boasts three gold medals, clearly stood him in good stead in the assistance-free class. As well as looking after his own bike, he also helped out teammate Martin Michek, who ran into all manner of problems. Due to his strong recent results, Milan is no longer eligible for Original by Motul, so he returned to the Orion-MRG paddock in 2023. Unfortunately, some engine problems prevented him from finishing the race, resulting in his first retirement since 2018. He returns to take his revenge and will try to get a good result on the edition in which he will become a Dakar Legend. He did take part in the Rallye du Maroc in October, but not as a competitor. A generous man, he came to lend a hand to Czech riders who were trying to get their entry ticket for the Dakar. Riders for whom Milan is now an inspiring model.

M.E.: “The 2023 edition didn’t go as well as expected for me. I was unlucky and I had a problem with the engine of my bike. Unfortunately, I could not finish the race, for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Then I immediately concentrated on the 2024 edition. During the season I took part in the Hellas Rally, where I finished second overall. This year I would like to reach the finish line because it will be my 10th Dakar, so I am going to be a Dakar Legend. I want to thank the team Orion-Moto Racing Group for that, because I couldn’t have done it without them.”