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Maarten Buitenhuis on an Exciting Adventure with French Dakar Legend

Maarten Buitenhuis is participating in the Africa Eco Race on an electric motorcycle from Arctic Leopard. The Chinese brand launched the project in 2022 with the help of French Dakar veteran Willy Jobart. The goal: to compete in the Dakar Rally’s Mission 1000 project using an electric motorcycle. After their participation in early 2024, the project was literally and figuratively unplugged. Jobart was allowed to keep the three motorcycles and decide if he wanted to do something with them independently.

Jobart and Buitenhuis met during a rally in May 2023 and immediately hit it off. While Buitenhuis declined to sponsor the Mission 1000 project, he found it intriguing and stayed in touch. Things moved quickly after Africa Eco Race organizer Jean Louis Schlesser rolled out the green carpet for Jobart at a trade fair. Jobart called Buitenhuis, asking if he wanted to join. A short test ride convinced Buitenhuis, and the opportunist immediately said yes.


Speaking with Maarten, it’s impossible not to be inspired by his passion and enthusiasm. However, a bout of flu dampened his spirits during the first week. Thanks to the medical team’s help, he recovered quickly. Now, one key challenge remains: the motorcycle’s range is insufficient to complete entire stages. Each day, they cover about 100 kilometers before the battery runs out, forcing them to wait for the sweep truck. In short, it’s always long days for Jobart and Buitenhuis.


The silver lining is that the race organization is fully supporting this project. Meanwhile, Buitenhuis is already planning the next steps. The goal is to ensure that the motorcycles will eventually be able to complete full stages. Together with Jobart, Buitenhuis is far from finished with this adventure.