“You can’t just look away from people in need, you have to act”
En bref
O.K.
- Ondrej Klymciw has been mad about motorsport since the day his father bought him his first bike at the age of ten. After successful stints in drag racing and enduro, he switched to rally-raid in 2013 and made his Dakar debut in 2015. The 2026 edition will be his ninth Dakar as a competitor, and his twelfth overall when including the editions in which he took on a coaching or team-management role.
- The Czech competitor made an immediate impression in 2025, finishing as the second-fastest rookie just behind Toby Price, with 20th place overall. He continued to progress, achieving 11th position in 2017, missing the top ten by a mere 37 seconds. However, serious crashes at Dakar 2016 and 2018 led him to an early end of his motorcycle racing career to an early end.
- He returned to Dakar in 2019 and 2020 as the head of Klymciw Racing, where he played a key role in helping competitors. As an experienced competitor, Ondrej continues to support and mentor others each year, for example riders aiming to learn the discipline and qualify for their first Dakar. Skyler Howes is among the people he helped in his career.
- The introduction of Dakar Classic in 2021 opened the door to a new chapter. He contested the first four editions in a Skoda 130 LR, claiming three stage wins and finishing 14th overall in 2023. In 2024, he teamed up with Josef Broz, the son of his close friend Jiri, himself a Dakar competitor. The duo returns in 2026, now in a 1994 Mitsubishi Pajero.
- Solidarity is the true driving force behind Ondrej’s Dakar participation. After having to relearn how to walk following multiple vertebra fractures sustained in 2018, he helped raise funds for a rehabilitation and recovery center for people with spinal cord injuries in 2024. For the 2026 edition, his Dakar campaign is dedicated to Pink Bubble, a foundation supporting people whose lives are been by cancer. Pink Bubble accompanies them throughout treatment, recovery, and the return to everyday life, providing practical assistance such as medical and rehabilitation equipment, as well as joy, hope, and moments of happiness during such a difficult time.
J.B.
- Motorsport runs deep in Josef’s family. He is the son of Jiri Broz, a two-time Czech Republic Supersport Champion, founder of the Montaze Broz Racing Team that competed in the Moto2 World Championship… and a Dakar 2025 finisher! Growing up surrounded by motorcycle racing, he was interested from an early age by the sport. And for the first time in 2026, Josef will share the bivouac with his father, who will once again take on the rally on a bike.
- This is not Josef’s first experience here. The upcoming edition will be the 2nd Dakar Classic of this 21-year-old student in United States. In 2023, he supported Ondrej Klymciw by handling media production for the Skodovkou na Dakar project. A year later, Ondrej offered him a Dakar Classic navigator’s seat in his Skoda 130 LR. The duo quickly proved their strength, fighting for victory (leading after stage 8) until a technical issue stopped their chances. They return stronger than ever in a 1994 Mitsubishi Pajero, marking the first time Ondrej competes in Dakar Classic with the same navigator in consecutive editions.
- Beyond competition, Josef’s Dakar journey carries a strong charitable mission. In 2024, his team raised funds for Centrum Paraple, a rehabilitation and recovery center supporting people with spinal cord injuries. This year, the Czech duo will support Pink Bubble, a Czech foundation dedicated to helping young people whose lives is impacted by cancer. Pink Bubble stands by them throughout treatment, recovery, and the return to everyday life, offering practical support such as medical and rehabilitation equipment, as well as something equally vital: joy, hope, and moments of happiness during an incredibly challenging time.
Ambition
O.K.: “We were leading the Dakar Classic 2024 until stage 8, then we had a technical issue. We still finished the rally, and even though we didn’t, I tell myself that I’m a winner because we raised €60,000 to support people in wheelchairs. This year, we are racing for Pink Bubble, a foundation that helps young people and children affected by cancer. That’s the main reason I’m racing. We can do more than just burn fuel and tyres in the desert. I need something more, something different, to help others. It’s also for my kids: I want them to see that you can’t just look away from people in need, you have to act. If you can help, you must do it. Our car is crazy: it’s Jurassic Dakar! Like Jurassic Park, but with pink on top because of Pink Bubble. That makes people ask questions, take photos, and give interested in Pink Bubble. We hope to raise support from fans and sponsors. Concerning the race part, we can do good, but you also need luck. When you’re a beginner, you believe everything will go perfectly. But after five or six Dakar, you know it’s not just about technique; it’s also about luck.”
J.B.: “In 2024, I wasn’t prepared for how exciting and challenging Dakar really is. Every stage brought a new challenge, while we also pushed through mechanical issues and navigated the gorgeous Saudi Arabian landscape. All these moments and difficulties we faced only motivated us to try again, learn from our mistakes, and comeback stronger. We are expecting a more reliable ride because of the Pajero - it's a proven legendary Dakar vehicle built for this kind of punishment, so it’s the right car for our podium goal this year. With Ondrej’s years of experience and with the skills I gained last time, we're better prepared than ever. What makes our team work so well is how Ondrej and I balance each other. When things get tough out there (like they always do), he has the racing instincts while I bring precision navigation and a way calmer approach. I'm so excited to finally be there with my dad this year. Someone has to keep an eye on him out there! Even though we will be competing in different categories, we will be helping each other, pushing each other, and overall supporting each other along the way, making the experience even more special for both of us.”
