“When you put the helmet on, it’s another story!”
RIDER FACTS
- Sebastian may be flying the flag for Germany, but he has spent most of his life in Portugal, after his parents went on holiday there and liked it so much that they stayed! They bought Sebastian his first bike at the age of five, and by 13 he was racing competitively. He has gradually become one of the country's references in off-roading. As well as winning the Portuguese all-terrain (TT) championship on several occasions, Sebastian claimed three consecutive victories at the prestigious Baja Portalegre 500 between 2018 and 2020, plus the FIM Bajas World Cup title in the Covid-hit 2020 season.
- He’d always dreamed of doing the Dakar, especially after going to watch the start of the rally in Lisbon in 2006 and 2007. He began his journey in 2019, finishing as the third-best rookie. He has had some ups and downs, abandoning due to engine failure in 2020, and then roaring into the top 15 in 2021, before being forced to sit out the 2022 edition with injury. He was competitive in 2023 but his overall ambition was ruined because of a fuel issue on the 4th stage. He still managed to get back into the top 20.
- The official Hero rider had an eventful 2024 season, with some good performances but a painful start and finish. He fractured a vertebra at the beginning of the Dakar, then injured his collarbone (operated) and back during the Rallye du Maroc, in October. But he also had one of the highlights of his career when he rode in front of “his” crowd at the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal. He took the very first stage win of his W2RC career, showing that he has the qualities to fight among the best. His goals for the 2025 edition will depend on his physical recovery.
2025 AMBITION
S.B.: “We had some good results during the 2024 season, and it’s good to have been able to participate in several races. The team won the W2RC title with Ross and they really deserved it! We made some really good changes with Hero during the summer, the bike is almost completely new and all the riders like it! It’s much better and it’s very good for the Dakar. My recovery is going well since the crash during the Rallye du Maroc. I think I can arrive in good shape, but my goals will depend on my physical condition. If I see that I’m not at my best, I’ll ride to have fun and try to develop the bike, to help the team. Well, I say that but when you put the helmet on, it’s another story! I’ll see how the Dakar goes before setting my goals for the entire season.”
