Nicola Dutto: First Paraplegic to Race The Dakar Rally on a Bike
After years of intense preparation, a far-fetched dream becomes reality.
Can there be a more defining moment in a person’s life?
Inspired by the comeback of similarly injured three-time AMA motocross national champion Doug Henry, Nicola set about experimenting with roll cages to protect his lower body. At first he admits he was terrified to ride again, though less than a quarter mile into his maiden run his innate sense of balance returned and he knew at that moment he would be able to race again. Just four months later he placed 24th in Spain’s Baja Aragon.
Soon after, the ambition of becoming the first paraplegic to ride the legendary Dakar was borne, and today, after years of intense preparation and practice, that once seemingly far-fetched dream is Nicola’s reality.
The KTM 450 EXC-F he rides is modified with an electric clutch and bar-mounted front and rear brake controls. Wheelchair cushion specialists, Vicair, custom built a seat to support and protect Nicola from the punishing hits faced by a rider unable to stand in rough terrain while a tidy roll cage protects his lower extremities in the event of a crash. His legs are belted in with a three-point harness.
“It’s pretty difficult explaining how I have to ride a bike now. It is a very involved manner of riding, and it has taken a lot of time to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Working on getting the suspension to work for me was interesting, because I’m unable to stand up to take the blows anymore.”
While this setup allows Nicola to operate the motorcycle effectively he also relies on his heroic team of ghost riders: Julián Villarrubia, Pablo Toral and Victor Rivera, all one-time rivals of Nicola’s on the European circuit. They are his eyes and his legs during the Dakar, one going ahead of Nicola to scan the terrain and choose lines since he cannot stop his own motorcycle. This lead rider is also Nicola’s spotter when he does eventually need to stop. The two sweep riders will right Nicola and his motorcycle in case of a fall.
At the end of Stage 2 of Dakar 2019 this deeply inspirational, history-making team is still going strong, reminding us all that the human spirit lives not in the physical body, but in the intangible heart and mind and its relentless desire to light our way.
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