This race is without any doubt the toughest and most difficult motorbike competition in the world. A good reason for Charley Boorman to try his luck and an opportunity for Russ Malkin to produce a breath taking TV series. After ‘Long Way Round’, they asked me again to join the team. I thought I would have an easy job following the race in helicopters and planes. However, sleep deprivation for 2 weeks knocked me out big time:
The Race to Dakar is also an amazing logistical achievement organised by the French company ASO. For 14 days they move 3000 people, 100 trucks, 200 cars and 300 motorbikes over 15’000 kilometres through most treacherous terrain. They provide the infrastructure for 40 TV crews, a mobile hospital and they never run out of food, water or fuel. I wouldn’t know an army capable of such a stunt.
However, in a world threatened by global warming, limitation of natural resources and increasing poverty, I felt uncomfortable with the burning of over 1 million litres of fuel and the expense of millions of dollars for the enjoyment of a few.
Yet at the same time, I really appreciated the positive spirit of the rally circus. It is amazing to see how much people can achieve. Everybody wants to win; nobody ever says no; nothing is impossible. It is a highly inspiring and liberating experience. I hope that the same kind of collective commitment would more often be aimed at serious issues and serve a common good.
Monday, 16 January 2006
