“To do the Dakar was our dream with my dad”

A quite nice group of Czech riders will take part in the 2024 Dakar, inspired by the recent performances of Martin Michek, Jan Brabec or David Pabiska. Dusan Drdaj is one of the newcomers who will join his compatriots on the toughest rally-raid race in the world. However, his name is not unknown in the 2-wheels universe: aged 25, he is already a multiple Czech Republic motocross champion. In 2022, this fishing enthusiast won the national title in MX1, the premier category. A year earlier, he represented his country at the Motocross of Nations. He is therefore used to go fast in the dirt, but less in the sand. He is in fact relatively inexperienced in rally-raid. He has been competitive during his first race, the 2023 Rallye du Maroc, where he was coached by the experienced Milan Engel, also an Orion-Moto Racing Group rider. Dusan obtained his entry ticket for the Dakar despite a crash during the last special, where he broke his chest. He was 11th in Rally 2 before that accident, showing his skills. The kid still has a lot to learn about his new discipline, but the speed is there to have a great first time.

D.D.: “I started watching the Dakar when I was very young with my father, because he has been riding all his life. It was my dream, our dream, to do it. I started motocross at 4 years old but I have to admit that I don’t have a lot of experience in rally-raid. I followed a training camp at the Viladoms Rally Station, in Spain; then I only did the Rallye du Maroc to qualify for the Dakar. For this first participation, I would like to reach the finish line. If I get a good result, I would be even happier and more motivated for the next years.”