“Coming back to get that medal”
RIDER FACTS
- Gad Nachmani has been dreaming of the Dakar since he was 10 years old - but has been building up to it gradually. He started riding off-road at 16 and competing in small local rallies in his early twenties.
- Then three years ago, this building company manager decided it was time to start working up to the big one. He began gently with the Andalucia Rally in 2021 and followed that up with a Morocco Desert Challenge and three Rallye du Maroc.
- In 2024 he felt he was ready to tackle the Dakar and got tantalisingly close to achieving his goal. Although he finished all the stages he was missing 120 kilometres of the infamous 48h Chrono stage and so deprived of his finisher’s medal.
- It was a bitter pill to swallow but once digested he knew he had to come back and complete unfinished business.
2025 AMBITIONS
“I knew that Dakar was going to be hard but I didn’t think it was going to be that hard! I was doing ok until the 48 hour chrono where I spent the night out in the dunes. I didn’t sleep at all and the next day I was really exhausted. I made it to the end of the stage but was missing some kilometres. Once I got to the rest day, I thought I’d be ok but after that the rally kept getting harder and harder. The second to last day with all those rocks was the toughest of them all. Still, I made it to the end. My wife was always supportive of my Dakar dream but now she thinks I’m a bit crazy to be going back. Now I know how hard it is going to be I’ve worked even more on my fitness, particularly cross-fit and cycling. I’m spending my life down the gym! But I know it will pay dividends once I’m out in Saudi and help me achieve my dream.”