Meet the rider aiming to be Africa's first female Dakar finisher

DESPITE THE race originating from the continent, no African woman has ever finished the Dakar.

But one resilient rider looks set to change that, with a determined effort to not only finish the Dakar, but also to finish among the forerunners.

Kirsten Landman is a professional offroad and hard enduro rider from Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. The 27-year-old has been riding since the age of 8 and launched her professional career just five years ago. Since then, she has become the first woman to finish races such as Redbull Romaniacs, Redbull Sea to Sky, Redbull Megawatt 111, Redbull Braveman and the Roof of Africa. She’s also had to overcome numerous injuries and physical challenges along the way.

But now she is primed to take on the ultimate endurance challenge, and will be lining up alongside dozens of men – and just a handful of women – on the Dakar 2020 startline as she attempts to make history.

Kirsten is part of the KTM South Africa team and is currently riding a KTM 250 XCF in preparation for the rally.  

Check out this short video below about her story, and click here to donate and help Kirsten get to Dakar.