Robbie, 65, set to ride Dakar rally

[totalmotorcycle]

Robbie, 65, set to ride Dakar rally
Tuesday, January 2, 2007 - by John McCann - Evening Times - eveningtimes.co.uk



ROBBIE Allan qualifies for a pensioner's bus pass - but he won't need it where he's going next year.

The 65-year-old biker will become the oldest person ever to take part in the world's most gruelling race when he lines up for the 2007 Dakar Rally in less than two weeks' time.

And race organisers are convinced he has what it takes to finish the 5500-mile dash across the Sahara Desert.

The grandfather from Lanarkshire has already taken on the infamous Isle of Man TT road race and still regularly competes in motorcycle scrambles and motocross races.

continued...But he faces the biggest challenge of his life when he swaps Lesmahagow for Lisbon to join more than 700 other competitors at the starting line on January 7.

Wife Margaret said the decision to take on the challenge came suddenly when the couple were on holiday in the Portuguese capital last year.

She said: "We witnessed the start of the event and Robbie said he was going to enter in 2007. After spending 49 years together, I should have known he wasn't kidding."

Today deputy race director Frederic Lequien said: "We don't think of Robbie as a 65-year-old.

"We think of him as an excellent racer with great experience.

"He is in better shape than some of the other riders who are 40."

Robbie insisted his real fear is failing to finish the race, saying: "I feel I'd let a lot of people down and myself.

"It's a hell of a challenge but I have a lot of determination."