张祺 the Nigular

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UPDATE ON DAKAR

Just found out that the oldest entrant in the Dakar is a BMW privateer!

Pierre Karsmakers : « On a bike and without assistance at 62 »

This guy is incredible. At 62-years of age, he is the oldest rider entered in the Dakar. To make it an even greater challenge, he has decided to do it without assistance. And the craziest thing in all this is that; Pierre Karsmakers could finish in the top 50 in the world’s most difficult rally. “It is good to ride slowly for two days then very fast on the following two, if you feel good on the bike”, says this phenomenon. “Strategy is essential. You have to see how the other riders are riding and adapt.”

Pierre Karsmakers’ Dakar debut dates back to 1987. An unknown in the rally, the Dutch rider created a major surprise in his first participation finishing 10th overall. After a crash the following year, he tried with a truck and a car, often spacing out his entries every three of four years. In 2000, he returned on a bike along with his 23-year old son Jyrki. “He finished 25th”, says a very proud father. But he did better, finishing 13th overall, at the tender age of 53.

For Pierre Karsmakers, the Dakar represents a second sporting life. The Dutchman with the French surname – a reference to his mother’s origins – made a name for himself as a professional motocross rider in the 1960’s and 70’s. After winning three championships in Holland, he joined the Yamaha team in the United States, where he won the 1974 title. “After retiring in 1980, at 34-years of age, I needed another challenge”, says Pierre. “This corresponds to my need for adventure. I will ride without assistance because when you do everything on your own you really learn about yourself. And, I have a really good BMW bike that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance in the bivouac.” In the race, the old sage could beat a great number of those who could be his sons.

Here's a pic of the man, guy on left ...