“It was now or never”
En resumen
D.v.C.
- Dick van Culenborg was 13 years old when the Dakar Rally was first created, and he grew up watching the legendary race on television. A motocross rider from the age of 16, he discovered rally-raid at the 2009 Heroes Legend, which ran from Paris to Dakar. He went on to compete in several other events, both in Europe and in Morocco through the Desert Challenge.
- The death of his close friend Edwin Straver during the 2020 Dakar Rally had a profound impact on his life. As a result, Dick decided to step away from motorcycle rally-raid, but his passion for the sport never faded. Two years later, he purchased a Can-Am to explore off-road competition on four wheels.
- The owner of an irrigation company, Dick is also a keen fishing enthusiast, a hobby he shares with his friend (and Dakar competitor) Paul Spierings. When the Rebellion-Spierings team expanded, the Dutch driver offered Dick the role of rapid assistance driver. An opportunity of a lifetime that he couldn’t refuse.
- Dick will share his first Dakar with Mark Klinkhamer, whom he first met at the 2009 Heroes Legend. The duo will discover the Taurus T3 Max during the Dakar shakedown, although Dick already had an introduction to the vehicle at Baja Spain, where he served as Paul Spierings’ navigator. Together, they will be part of a five-vehicle Challenger convoy run by Rebellion-Spierings, tasked with supporting their teammates, including Paul and team owner Alexandre Pesci.
M.K.
- Mark Klinkhamer is no stranger to the Dakar Rally, having worked there as a mechanic in 2020. Employed by a small Dutch team, he was repairing vehicles, work he also carries out daily at his own garage, Autobedrijf Klinkhamer. Six years later, he returns to the Saudi Arabian desert, but this time on the other side of the fence: as a competitor in the Challenger category.
- Like Dick van Culenborg, the 60-year-old Dutchman began his off-road career on motorcycles, notably taking part in the 2009 Heroes Legend from Paris to Dakar. It was there that he met his future Dakar teammate. Mark went on to expand his career competing in the TransAnatolia Rally and numerous car races, driving an impressive two-wheel-drive buggy that he built with Peter van der Vliet.
- During his first encounter with Dick, Mark provided crucial mechanical assistance that allowed him to finish the race. Just an example of the many support roles he has played throughout his career. That spirit continues in 2026, as he will be part of a five-vehicle Challenger convoy run by Rebellion–Spierings, tasked with supporting his teammates, including Paul Spierings and team owner Alexandre Pesci.
Ambición
D.v.C.: “I’ve been a motorcycle rider for most of my life, and the Dakar Rally has always interested me. When my friend Paul Spierings called to say he needed a backup as his Dakar team was expanding, I said yes. I’m 60 years old, and I felt it was now or never! It was my intuition. As a former bike rider, I also think like a navigator when I’m driving: I look glance at the roadbook with my right eye, because with my experience, I know how it is. Mark Klinkhamer has been my friend since our first rally-raid together in 2009. Back then, as bike riders, when you got stuck and helped each other out, you made friendships for life, and that’s what happened with Mark. He’s 61 and I’m 60; we’re sixty-year-old rookies! The team’s ambition is to put Paul Spierings on the podium, and my responsibility is to help team owner Alexandre Pesci to cross the finish line. And of course, I hope to cross that line myself as well, I would love to receive the Dakar finisher’s medal.”
M.K.: “A young guy from my village competed in the Dakar back in 1987, and it really impressed me. I had this in mind ever since. I raced motorcycles on circuits for years, but I had to put my career on hold when I started my own garage and needed to focus on work. I returned to rally-raid later on at the 2009 Heroes Legend Rally, where I met Dicky. Now, at sixty years old, we’re both Dakar rookies! We’re training hard to stay in shape. For me, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the top of the building. I know it will be tough, with some very long stages, but I’ll give it my best. I’ve always worked in assistance roles in rallies. We may not be the fastest, but we help others, and to me, that’s the spirit of the Dakar.”
