Back to basics

Reaching the second step of the podium is already quite an exploit, managing to repeat such a performance is just as hard especially when you’re not a factory rider. After his fantastic second spot back in 2016, Stefan Svitko has struggled on the world’s toughest rally. His last two appearances were painful ones. In 2018 he was forced to quit after seriously injuring his knee. A year later it was his bike that failed him with two days to go. And to add to the bad moments, his start to the season was a tough one when he broke his bike during the Merzouga Rally. Hopefully these bad times are behind the strong man from Zaskov. To prepare for his 11th Dakar, the 37-year-old Slovakian who finished best rookie of his first Dakar (13th on 2010) and four times in the Top 10 turned back to basics, competing in several enduro races including the FIM ISDE in Portugal. He even took part in a round of the Red Bull 400, a running race up the Strbske Pleso ski jumping facility. The former three-time enduro European champion is fit to take on a brand new Dakar and the unknown territory could suit him perfectly.