During the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally, Dave and Tessa Klaassen encountered an exhausted motorbike rider. Night had fallen, and they immediately saw the rider was in bad shape. Instead of continuing, they demonstrated true Dakar Spirit by staying with the rider until help arrived. For their actions, they were honored today with the Dakar Spirit Award.
Each day during the Dakar Rally, a ceremony is held to present a few awards, such as the leader in each category and the Dakar Spirit Award. The award recognizes those who embody the authentic spirit of the Dakar Rally.
Dave and Tessa stayed with the motorbike rider for over three hours, sacrificing their own stage in the process. They immediately contacted the rally organization for assistance, but when help didn’t arrive promptly, they took matters into their own hands. They supported the rider and protected him from further harm in a dangerous situation. Eventually, the organization’s team arrived to assist, and Dave and Tessa still had to cover 50 kilometers of dunes in the dark. They finished the stage within the time limit and, after just three hours of sleep, continued the rally.
A well-deserved reward for Dave and Tessa Klaassen came today with the Dakar Spirit Award.
