“I've been watching Dakar since I can remember”

David Mabbs has been dreaming of taking part in the Dakar for over 20 years, after getting his first taste of rally raid in the late 1990s. Having moved to Dubai for work, the Portsmouth native found himself on the pit crew of fellow British rider David McBride, and decided this was something he wanted to be a part of. Along with McBride, he will be making a long-awaited Dakar debut this year with the Vendetta Racing UAE team. David spent most of the 2000s competing in a car, regularly taking part in races on the FIA Cross-Country Rallies World Cup and achieving a host of podium finishes. He made the switch to bikes in 2013 and has continued to participate on the international scene, having a crack at most events in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship. Given his experience and fondness for outdoor adventure, the 46-year-old has decided to make his maiden Dakar a memorable one by signing up in the assistance-free Original by Motul class. He is hoping to outshine his fellow competitors from the Middle East and lay the foundations for more Dakar success in the future, with another of his long-cherished ambitions to one day complete the world's most famous rally in a truck.

“I came to Dubai with work, inspecting ships, basically doing their MOT. In 1999 I ended up in the desert pit crewing for David McBride, and decided I wanted to race. In 2000 I borrowed money from the bank, bought a Land Rover Defender and started racing. I did my first Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in 2000 and ended up doing it nine times in a car. The switch to bikes was mainly about money, because I couldn't afford the car! I was riding bikes for fun and, over a few beers, agreed to start racing. I've been watching Dakar since I can remember. It was always a dream to go to Africa and race, so I did the Eco Race this year. The dream is still to have a go in a truck. I've chosen Original by Motul for two reasons: firstly funds are tight, and secondly because we can. We know we can't win overall so we may as well do it the most challenging way possible. The objective is to finish, first and foremost, and not to finish last. To enjoy it enough to come back and do it all again, and hopefully have the best time among bikers from the Middle East.”