“I'm going into the rally with the heart of a racer”

Motocross star Martin Michek could well be one of the surprise packages of Dakar 2020. The Czech rider will be making his debut on the world's toughest rally in Saudi Arabia, having impressed earlier this year with a fifth-place finish at Baja Aragon. Martin has been riding ever since waking up as a boy one Christmas morning to find a new motorbike under the tree. He quickly tasted success in national motocross events and began competing on the international stage, twice finishing as world vice-champion in the MX3 class and lifting a host of Czech and European titles. A talented, ambitious and speedy racer, Martin is now looking forward to his first tilt at the Dakar with the Moto Racing Group (MRG), where he has been able to seek advice from fellow compatriots Milan Engel and Tomas Kubiena. The 31-year-old knows he is in for a baptism of fire in January, but hopes he can enjoy a positive maiden outing as he looks to become a serious contender in the bikes in years to come.

“My parents were behind everything. My dad and brother both had motorcycles and I always rode with them and really liked it. One Christmas I got a motorcycle under the tree and that’s how it all started. I went straight out on the same day to try it in the fields. Today the bike has become part of my life. As an ambitious athlete, I always wanted to start the most famous and prestigious motocross races. I was captain at the biggest Motocross of Nations event in the world, so I have some idea of the challenges you face at the biggest motoring events in the world. The Dakar certainly fits the bill! Rally is very different from motocross, so I try to mix up my training sessions and get out for longer rides. But it’s also important to do exciting, technical training because rally is getting really fast, and I think it now requires elements of motocross. I feel very good, I want to fight hard and try to overcome my limits. I was at Baja Aragon 2019 and I managed to finish in 5th place. I know that for a first Dakar, just getting to the finish line is like a win, but I'm going into the rally with the heart of a racer! We have a great team. Everyone brings something to the table and that moves us all forward. Milan and Tomas are very experienced when it comes to rally and I certainly listen to their advice. I’m just trying to prepare myself as best as possible, I want to be satisfied after each stage and gain valuable experience for the coming years. Mainly I want to finish the Dakar and slowly build my dream to be among the best.”