“It’s a lifetime project”

It was his destiny. After years of competing on dirt bikes and becoming a test rider for references such as Akrapovic and KTM, Toni Mulec will be in the limelight as he takes on his first ever Dakar. The Slovenian has a massive experience in terms of enduro and motocross taking part in ISDE events as well as races like the Enduropale du Touquet, yet his experience in rally-raid is brand new. Mulec’s first real cross-country event came last October as he took on the Morocco Rally which would earn him an entry for the Dakar. Since then the 37-year-old has been battling to find money for his maiden Dakar and was able to count on a huge amount of support through a fundraiser he launched. Mulec will be living his dream on a Husqvarna prepared by the HT Rally-Raid Racing team

“I always wanted to race in the desert. Participating in the Dakar Rally has always been a secret wish for me. Even when Miran Stanovnik raced there years ago, I regularly followed his races and successes. Even then I wanted to try it myself, but the main problem was always finances. That's why I preferred to opt for cheaper races and championships. And when I started something, I always wanted to finish it. The desire for the Dakar Rally has been growing inside me for a few years. I might have tackled it all together about a year earlier, but then covid-19 came along and everything was even harder. But it's obviously the right time. I love these races. I like to do navigation, I like to be alone on a bike and with nature. When you are alone on the dunes and in the desert, it is really challenging and fun. Moreover, I have always liked to race on the sand, where the conditions are the most difficult. That's why I have also ridden the famous Le Touquet race in France several times on wet sand, and this event is considered one of the most difficult in the world. This Dakar is a lifetime project and I have to accomplish it.”