The direct translation of the French word “malle moto” which describes the unassisted motorcycle class in the Dakar Rally is “stem and motorcycle”.
But if you know what this category is all about, you’d be forgiven for thinking the word “malle” was taken directly from Afrikaans to describe the riders competing in it.
This, of course, becomes “crazy”. “I think you’d be right to assume that,” laughed Charan Moore, 31, who won this category – officially called the Original class by Motul today. Moore won the category in the Husqvarna FR 450 Rally in emphatic fashion by more than 21 minutes from Spain’s Javi Vega after 14 grueling stages in Saudi Arabia last Sunday.
He finished 28th in the two-wheel category overall, beating all 48 riders who had an assist. Although Original by Motul is a class that falls under the overall bike umbrella, this is only the second time a South African has stood on the top podium of the Dakar podium after Giniel de Villiers, who won the overall car category in 2009.
The unassisted bike category represents the ‘foundation’ of the Dakar
Considered by purists to be the toughest category in what has long been considered the toughest race in the world, the unassisted bike category is the foundation of the Dakar.
Motul, the French lubricant company sponsoring the category, brought one trunk containing smaller tools and spare parts, a set of spare tires and a tent for each rider on the truck from the bivouac. No outside mechanical labor is allowed, meaning each rider must service and repair their own bike after each stage.
This was done and cleaning the riding gear, queuing to eat in the canteen, using the public bathroom and setting up my own tent when I finally got a few hours sleep.
By contrast, riders from factory teams or those who pay for assistance have a mechanic who takes care of their bike, access to physiotherapy, sleep in a camper van with a bathroom and enjoy self-catering.
“Everyone knows how hard it is and everyone sympathizes with people who are struggling.
“When you’re physically tired, there’s always someone you can rely on,” Moore told The Saturday Citizen in Dammam after the race. In that case, Patrick’s brother is the rock.
As in 2022, when Moore finished fourth in the unassisted class on his Dakar debut, a proud Patrick is at his side again this year.
“Obviously he couldn’t help me on the bike or anything personal during the race, but Patrick was always there for me,” Moore said.
“We eat together, discuss stages and discussions. Having that support system and people you can rely on is important to keep your head on straight.
Coming from a motorcycle racing family, it’s hard to believe that these adventure-seeking siblings actually have information technology jobs at the family business in Maseru, where they commute daily from their home in Ladybrand.
Also read: Henk Lategan SA takes Dakar victory
Moore started working there after graduating with a business degree from the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein. But when Moore isn’t behind a book, you’ll most likely find him on his bike.
‘The crowd of riders is a big family’
He started cycling at the age of 16 and won the South African Cross Country Championship in 2021. Inspired by his friend Boatswain Ross Branch, who rides for the factory team Hero, he made the step up to Dakar.
“The riders are a big family and it’s a privilege to be a part of it,” he said.
“The event is so big and so big, so just coming here and experiencing it as a competitor is step one.
“To actually compete and win something is like a dream come true and a bigger start, I think.”
Also read: De Villiers wins stage nine of Dakar, Lategan second
The 2023 Dakar Rally will go down in history as one of the toughest. Not only did the addition of two stages increase the distance to 8,000 kilometers, of which 5,000 km were timed, but bad weather caused accidents on many stages.
“Riding is good, physically I’m good and mentally 100%. But the hardest part without a doubt is the elements,” said Moore.
“Sometimes it’s very cold, especially when you wake up at two or three in the morning and it’s raining outside or like one degree Celsius. Then you still have to take down the tent, get on the bike and ride 400km on asphalt before the time section starts.
Moore hopes his 2023 exploits can pave the way for him to ride with one of the established teams next year.
“Malle moto is done for me, I have ticked that box,” he stated.
“I want to go with the mechanics, sleep in the camper van so I can focus on the race and not worry about the bike or setting up the tent or things like that.
“As for joining the team, I don’t know if there’s anything. If a deal comes, I’ll go straight away.
“But when I come back and I can’t get a ride from a certain team, I will rent a package from HT Rally that is used in races outside Dakar and finance it through support.
“The only certainty for me is that I will be back.”
Watch this space.