Northallerton enduro expert Robbie Wallace has just returned from successfully competing in Argentina as part of his preparations to hopefully compete in next year’s Dakar Rally.

Robbie was contesting the RUTA 40 event, which comprised round four of the Rally Raid World Championship based near Cordoba and it was his first ever event in the cross-country world championship where he was up against some of the best riders in the world.

Aboard the TCC Plant-supported KTM as part of the Xraids Experience Team, on a bike prepared at home in North Yorkshire along with dad Duncan, the five-day event comprised long stages on dusty off-road tracks.

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After a ceremonial start and prologue, the opening stage saw thick fog and freezing temperatures, not helped by a minor oil-leak on the bike, but he came home after 475km in 17th overall and fifth in class. Day two saw a mighty 700km route with Robbie hitting speeds of over 100mph in places to end up in 18th overall and eighth in class.

Day three saw competitors head out to San Juan for a 340km route whereby Robbie climbed a place to 17th overall where he stayed for day four after battling against rutted sand for over 690km. The final day saw a 4am start but Robbie had no issues and eventually finished in 15th overall and sixth in class.

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By finishing the event, Robbie is now in contention for an entry in the world-famous Dakar Rally which takes place over 8,000km in Saudi Arabia in January 2025.

He has to achieve selection and raise a considerable budget in order to compete but hopes to become one of the very few British riders to take on this extreme event. Keep up to speed with his adventures on www.facebook.com/robbiewallacerallying.

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