Like a fish to water

January 4 ^th 2019 - 23:41

Whilst some riders or drivers can become somewhat feverish during scrutineering, which generally betrays their lack of experience, for some the last preparations for the Dakar merely serve to stimulate their desire to get to grips with the first special, and Simon Marčič is such a person. Shortly before his fifth Dakar, the Slovenian rider claims that he does not feel under pressure, even if, as he underlines, he is clearly looking to win the Original by Motul category this year. “It’s like I’m a fish to water,” says the burly native of Maribor. Armed this year with a brand new KTM, Simon wants to do better than last year. “I finished 69th after many mechanical problems,” he recalls. “I lost hours trying to repair my bike in the dunes. I hope that this time I will be able to concentrate on riding”. It would only be fair for this biker who has not often been blessed with success on the South American race. Forced into an early withdrawal on his first participation, he completed the 2016 edition in 79th position with a broken collar bone and hand. Two years later, it was a collision with the car of Stéphane Peterhansel that forced him to throw in the towel, with a broken leg, two days before the finish. A naturally optimistic rider and used to having to grit his teeth and bear it, Simon Marčič is dearly hoping that 2019 will be his year.