“I will lose something and gain something at the same time”
Crew facts
- Shinya Fukiwara started riding bikes at the young age of seven. Since then, it has been a major part of his life. But his specialty wasn’t really riding in dunes and deserts. The Japanese excelled in trial biking first and then hard enduros.
- After clinching All-Japan titles in both those disciplines the rider nicknamed “Bussashi-sensei” turned his thoughts towards cross-country events and of course the Dakar.
- A fan of Japanese rock band Mr Children that he fondly quotes when talking about his Dakar project, he prepared carefully for the event by taking part in the Africa Eco Race last January and the Rallye du Maroc.
- More than just wanting to finish the Dakar like his recent predecessors Shinji Kazama and Yoshio Ikemachi, the 35-year-old wants to challenge himself, live his dream and give love to the world.
Ambition
S.F.: “It has always been my dream to participate in the Dakar. As the song by Mr. Children goes, ‘I feel great when I climb progressively higher walls'. By taking on a big challenge, I want to show the pride of being a Japanese person to the world.
There’s love in off-road riding. People laugh when I say that because being romantic is so old fashioned. But I know that without romance, dreams can’t come.
The Dakar Rally is more than just a race. The desert, the rocky mountains, the storm, night and morning… Technology alone cannot make it through. Physical strength alone is not enough. I will lose something and gain something at the same time. I still don’t know what that is. But I’m sure of one thing: what awaits us is love. And my dream is not just to finish. I want to challenge myself. I want to pursue a dream I had once abandoned. I compete to deliver love and to illuminate your dreams.”
