McBride takes third place veteran in Dakar

McBride takes third place veteran in Dakar

24 January 2024

IRISH rally raid veteran and Ballynahinch man David McBride has successfully completed this year’s gruelling Dakar Rally on a Husqvarna 450 Rally Replica.

He returns to Northern Ireland with a third place trophy in the Veterans class and 49th overall in the Rally 2 category. 

This is no mean feat for the 56 year-old, who battled a bad ankle injury on the penultimate day, and a one hour time penalty to secure his place on the podium in Saudi Arabia in what is known as the ‘toughest rally in the world’ among racing enthusiasts.

“This year’s Dakar Rally was typically brutal,” said David.

“To be honest, I thought my race might be over when I suffered a suspected broken ankle on the second last day.

“But, with the help of a medic, I was able to strap it up and continue to the finish line the next morning.”

He added: “For us riders, simply getting to the end is an enormous achievement.”

Over the last two weeks McBride has raced across some of the world’s most challenging terrain, and in doing so covered a distance of over 9,000 kilometres – roughly the same as travelling from Belfast to Cape Town.  

It is the third time he has taken part in this legendary race for the Vendetta Racing team.

This year the race saw McBride in action over rocks, dry wadi beds and towering sand dunes in the notorious empty quarter of the Saudi desert. 

Endurance and tenacity were prerequisites for surviving and thriving in the searing mid-day sun and frigid desert nights of Saudi Arabia.

Dakar is designed to be the ultimate test of both man and machine.

A total of 778 competitors lined up the start line, 145 of which were motorbikes. 

Just over two weeks later, 60 percent of the competitors failed to cross the finish line of the greatest off-road endurance race on the planet. 

Unfortunately, this year the competition also claimed the life of fellow competitor Carles Falcon from Spain, once again underscoring the danger of the world’s toughest race.

Dave has ridden proudly as a Northern Irish contender for many years and is a veteran of FIM events in Chile, South Africa, Morocco, UAE, Qatar and of course the Dakar in Saudi in recent years. 

He competed in the Rally 2 bike category and finished ahead of fellow Irishman and Dakar rookie Oran O’Kelly (Ireland), while stable-mate David Mabbs (England) retired on day three with four broken toes.

“All three riders in the Vendetta team including myself were tested to our limits of endurance,” reflected David. 

“The extreme temperatures, long hours and toll on our bodies and machines are undeniable. 

“Unfortunately, my team-mate David Mabbs didn’t make it to the end this year, but there’s always next time. 

“I am grateful for all the support I received from home. Hearing encouragement from so many, kept my spirits high, even during the toughest sections of the race.”

Although David is scheduled to go back to work on Monday morning, he is already planning for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge which starts in a few weeks’ time in the UAE.