Presentation


The 40-year old Jes Munk will be the only Dane on the starting line of the 2011 Dakar, which takes place between January 1 and January 15 in Argentina and Chile. Thanks to his 9th place in the Rallye des Pharaons last October, the rider from Silkeborg has been offered the opportunity to live out his dream a little earlier than he’d planned and will be competing in the Dakar on an Aprilia RXV 450 bike.

Jes Munk earns his living running his own business but, as a former motocross rider, motorcycling has always held a very special place in his heart. “I started thinking about Rally-Raids two years ago but few people practice it in Denmark so I didn’t have a lot of information. I began training, did some motocross and then one day made the decision to go for it. In order to fulfil my dream and make the Dakar I had to prepare it well in all ways, including running other Rally-Raids.”

Last October, Jes Munk discovered the world of off-road racing in Caire and threw himself into the desert heart and soul during the Rallye des Pharaons. “I had never felt so much pleasure or freedom as I did riding on the sand trails or over the dunes. After the first day I knew that I’d never be able to live without those emotions again. It’s a hard mineral world, no concessions made; the desert pushes you to do your best but above all it teaches you humility. You learn very quickly from nature that you’re only a guest here, never the master.”

Jes Munk finished the Rallye des Pharaons at the 9th place, after concluding one of the special stages in 6th position – not bad for a newcomer! Soon after, a spot was freed for him in the Dakar and a Aprilia RXV 450 ready to go to Argentina from Le Havre on December 26. Everything turned out extremely well and the dices are now thrown.

While the snow is falling in Denmark and in many other parts of Europe Jes Munk is getting ready to fly to Buenos Aires’ blazing summer in less than a month for the technical and administrative verifications. True to tradition, he’ll be passing the obelisk on January 1.