Dakar 2018: Brits Lyndon Poskitt and Max Hunt nail Dakar finish

Brits Lyndon Poskitt and Max Hunt had cause for serious celebration after both men finished the 2018 Dakar. In what is fast being regarded as the toughest Dakar for years due to its brutal terrain and incredibly difficult navigation both men made it to the finish in style to bag top 40 results.

For Poskitt it was a major achievement to have now started three Dakar’s and finished three Dakar’s improving on his result each year. Racing in the Malle Moto class he finished 28th on the final stage, which means he ended up 33rd overall in the standings and second Malle Moto finisher behind former official Yamaha and Dakar podium man Olivier Pain.

Speaking to MCN at the finish, Poskitt said: “Three starts, three finishes but this was the hardest one. The terrain has been really brutal. Days and days or really hard riding, it just never stopped. I feel a lot stronger than I did this time last year. My training, my preparation  the thought process that went into racing Malle Moto, learning to take care of myself and it all worked. I just really focussed on what needed to be done and I think I nailed it.

“Massive congratulations to Olivier Pain. He had a tough time as well having to change his tank and his engine so he earned it. I don’t feel so bad coming second to an ex-factory rider who has been on the Dakar podium – I’ll take it.”

“Looking back on the race now, it’s like anything that is really hard, the harder it is the more rewarding it becomes. But there were two or three stages that were so brutal that I didn’t enjoy them at all. I really struggled through them. On one day I just couldn’t get going, I made lots of mistakes and I could have cried in my helmet.

“I’m really happy with how all the videos have gone and the fans on the stages have been amazing. I never thought the fans would get behind a normal guy doing what he loves doing and to see fans with t-shirts printed is crazy. I never expected it. I’m happy I did it, I’m happy I got to the end and I’m happy I delivered what I said I would with the videos to all the people that contributed to the Kickstarter campaign.”

It was also an incredible day for fellow Brit, Max Hunt who finished his second Dakar in a row with marked improvement over his 2017 result. Twelve months ago Hunt secured 52nd place at his first attempt making his 37th overall in this years race a cause for serious celebration.

“It hasn’t sunk in, but it certainly feels amazing. I caught some guys on the stage which was good because I wanted to stay in the top 40.

“I feel pretty f**ked right now, but I am so happy with the result. Before the race, people I really respected said that given the competition this year, finishing in the top 50 was going to be really difficult. So to be 37th is amazing. Now I want to go and find my wife and see my son and concentrate on them for a while.”

When pushed by MCN as to whether it’s a case of having now ticked the Dakar box or not, he said: “If my brother Harry comes back in 2019, then I’ll have to come back too. And that’s what he’s talking about doing!”