“Difficult to keep up with the best”

After 12 appearances, Stefan Svitko remains one of the solid outsiders of the Dakar. He’s seen it all: the glory when he captured second spot back in 2016 and quite a few painful setbacks forcing him to retire on four occasions. One of the most talented riders of the field, the Slovakian has struggled not being a real factory rider. His first Dakar in 2010 was indeed a very promising one: 13th spot and best rookie trophy. Then followed five Top 10 finishes for this enduro specialists and multiple European champion. Calm and composed, the Slovakian who however knows that its harder and harder to compete with the big guns. His recent 8th and 12th positions on Saudi Arabian soil seem to be almost the best he can accomplish. Last year for instance only one non factory rider finished ahead of him (Mason Klein). Reaching the top 10 will once again be his objective hoping that his KTM will be just as reliable as his pace. Svitko’s recent victory at the Africa Eco Race has certainly given him confidence on the way to his 14th Dakar.

"I consider my performance at the last Dakar to be one of the best in my career. I have achieved better results in the past, but this time I lacked a bit of luck. Technology betrayed me in the ninth stage when my transmission started struggling, and that forced me to change the engine.
The Dakar is not just about adventure like it was twenty years ago. Today it's a sprint marathon. When I finished second overall in 2016, I was 39 minutes behind the winner, this year a 15-minute penalty for the engine change made me lose five positions. In Slovakia, I can of course ride every day, but I have to face factory riders who go to five desert events a year, and it is difficult to keep up with them."