Sharp ready for Dakar

Ronald Mashinga, Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWEAN off-road motorcycle racer Graeme Sharp has been invited to participate at the gruelling Dakar Rally to be staged in Saudi Arabia.

Early this year Sharp competed and came 16th out of 45 riders at the Sonora Rally in Mexico in his bid to qualify for the Saudi Arabia tournament next year 2020. 

 “During your participation at Afriqua Merzouga Rally in 2019, you raced the entire route. So you confirmed your level and proved that you have the skills and qualities required. Therefore, we are pleased to confirm your registration for Dakar 2020 ‘Chapter 3’ in Saudi Arabia,” Competitor and competitions coordinator, Charles Cuypers wrote to Sharp in his letter of invite.

Sharp will be aiming to become the first Zimbabwean to finish the Dakar Rally on a motorbike. Two-time African Rally champion Conrad Rautenbach was the first Zimbabwean to participate in the Dakar Rally after featuring in the cars category in 2017.

“It is a dream come true, I have always wanted to compete in this epic event since 2012. Our dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them,” he wrote on his Facebook post.

He will start this epic event that he is calling ‘My Dakar Safari’ on early next year in Saudi Arabia. This will be the 42nd edition to be staged in Saudi Arabia.