Photo: Dakar
It looks like riding a Dakar rally is not only a proof of strength and determination, but also develops a rider's spirit in ways which sometimes seem far from the modern habits. It's the case of KTM rider Kurt Caselli, Marc Coma's last-minute replacement and team mate for 5-time winner Cyril Despres.
Freshly returned home after the 2013 Dakar (position 31, 2 stages won), Kurt rode in the debut AMA National Hare and Hound race, and even if the beginning of the race was a good, fast one, things went a bit wrong. Left with no rear brakes after hitting a large boulder and making it late to the pits, Kurt started the second part way back, but making up time quite well.
Back in the 16th position, Caselli spotted a fallen rider on the trail. Believe it or not, he stopped to care for the rider (who proved to have had broken a leg) and helped him on the back of his own bike, then carried him to the medics.
It goes without saying that Caselli was no longer battling for a top position in this race. However he's happy with the decision: “I felt like it was the right thing to do. I definitely wanted to finish the race and earn as many points as I could toward the championship but I did not want to leave a fellow rider on the trail without help. Luckily, this is the first race of the series and I have some time to come back and hopefully make up the ground I lost today.”
Hats off, Mr. Caselli, "faith in humanity restored”, as they say.
Back in the 16th position, Caselli spotted a fallen rider on the trail. Believe it or not, he stopped to care for the rider (who proved to have had broken a leg) and helped him on the back of his own bike, then carried him to the medics.
It goes without saying that Caselli was no longer battling for a top position in this race. However he's happy with the decision: “I felt like it was the right thing to do. I definitely wanted to finish the race and earn as many points as I could toward the championship but I did not want to leave a fellow rider on the trail without help. Luckily, this is the first race of the series and I have some time to come back and hopefully make up the ground I lost today.”
Hats off, Mr. Caselli, "faith in humanity restored”, as they say.
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