“Even the smallest mistakes can lead to a withdrawal”
RIDER FACTS
- Deng Liansong will be doing his second Dakar in the bikes in 2025, having made his debut for Kove in 2023 (67th).
- Two years ago, after tryouts, he was one of three Chinese riders selected by the Kove factory team for their first Dakar, along with Sunier Sunier and Fang Ming Ji.
- The 32-year-old was inspired to get into offroad racing by his brother, who he hopes to bring to the Dakar one day.
- Deng first heard about the Dakar as a boy, so taking part fulfilled a childhood dream.
- A versatile rider, he has won China's national quads title and represented his country at the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2019.
- Deng won Stage 7 of this year's Taklimakan Rally, although mechanical issues took him out of the running overall. The event was dominated by his teammate Neels Theric, who finished first and landed six stages.
2025 AMBITIONS
D.L.: “I did my first Dakar in 2023 and every moment was unforgettable. The most memorable experiences were a broken roadbook tower in the first stage and broken handlebars in the second-to-last stage. In such a long-distance rally, even the smallest mistakes can lead to a withdrawal. However, I managed to overcome those two significant breakdowns and finish, which I think is pretty incredible. Since returning from that Dakar, I've often watched videos of the rally with friends. They've helped me learn how to better pace myself and avoid the excitement-driven mistakes I made in my first year. Missing Dakar 2024 due to other race commitments was a huge regret for me. But I still managed to fly to Saudi Arabia and join the team for a few stages, so at least I felt a bit involved. For Dakar 2025, we made sure to plan our schedule and preparations well in advance. I believe this season will be even better. I hope to make fewer mistakes and perform more consistently. Our team’s business and structure are gradually developing. Once we’re strong enough, I’d love to bring my brother and family with me to the Dakar."
