Mick Extance doesn't really need any introduction. But if for some reason you're not familiar with the five-time Dakar Rally finisher, here's a brief introduction to the man himself.
It might come as no surprise, but Mick has been around bikes all his life. His old man was a keen scrambler and a founding member of Poole Speedway, and at the tender age of 15 Mick bought his very first bike, which he used to compete in and win his first-ever trial. Not a bad start.
He had a crack at Motocross for a few years, racing at British Championship level, but his true calling was Enduro. Mick had plenty of success racing at both British Championship and World Championship level, and in 1993 was approached by the Auto Cycle Union and asked to be part of the team representing Britain in the infamous International Six Days Enduro. He gladly accepted and the team took home the gold.
Mick then took a bit of a break from motorcycling, instead focusing his attention on the UK Downhill Mountain Biking Championship. As you'd expect, he did very well, going on to compete at international level and becoming the 12th best ranked rider in the world. After a bit of time away from motorcycles, Mick got back in the saddle for the European Enduros in 2000. Entering as a Veteran, he won the championship title. But there was a niggle in the back of his mind - one event that had evaded him so far, which at 17 he'd vowed to his mate he'd do: the Dakar Rally.
Denne historien er fra October 2022-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
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Denne historien er fra October 2022-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin
Without panniers he was adventuring nowhere - so at least Bertie's got something sorted now
BMW R 12 nineT
Chad gets a track day surprise when BMW's R 12 nineT turns out to be surprisingly fun on track
Test fleet: VOGE 525 DSX
After testing the Voge's abilities on a long ride, it was time to take it to the Cotswolds and see how it would manage on the rougher stuff
Portuguese Perambulations
Nearly over before it had begun, a brief workshop stint allows Spain and Portugal to be explored
Highway to Heaven
Three friends take on the challenge of riding the length of Canada, from Vancouver in the southwest to Inuvik in the north. The road is long, the conditions merciless, and wildfires are tearing through the country. To top it all off, the final leg of the journey is the ultimate test of gravel riding skills, nerves, and courage - it's the legendary Dempster Highway...
Battlaxes at the ready!
We tend to take tyres for granted, never really looking at them in any detail, or at how they work, just hoping that they keep us shiny side up at all times. Even in the wet
Ducati Riding Experience
When I rode the Ducati DesertX to France last year, I did have a bit of an explore on some easy fire roads and gentle green lanes in the wilds of the Médoc area, but was left with the feeling that, had I the experience, the DesertX would have been capable of taking me along some more extreme trails to some even more exciting places. If only there was a way of finding out just how well the Italian adventure bike could cope with some more extreme terrain...
Four pot flyer
Many said that sports bikes, and particularly bikes in the traditional Supersports class that was populated by 600cc inline fours, were dead. Maybe they spoke too soon?...
Eastern adventurer
With an increasing interest in smaller capacity adventure bikes, the market expands with a new entry
First Time Lucky?
It's ironic that the first all-new MV Agusta model to hit the marketplace right after Italy's No.1 trophy brand was acquired by Austrian giant Pierer Mobility, owner of off-road titans KTM, should be the company's first dual-purpose model of the modern era, powered by MV's all-new 931cc three-cylinder engine that's destined to form the basis of a whole series of new models in coming months and years.
