Kirsten Landman, a professional off-road and hard-enduro rider from South Africa, has withdrawn from the 2024 Dakar Rally so that she can concentrate on her mental and physical well-being.
” Choosing was n’t an easy choice. I’m relieved that I wo n’t be competing in Dakar because it was the best choice for me at the right time. My body needs this rest, both mentally and physically, I can feel. And you know, Landman said in a statement,” Sitting on the sidelines also makes me hungry to concentrate on recovering and returning even stronger.”
Landman, one of the bikers who competed in the 2023 Dakar Rally, rode hard for South Africa.
In the Saudi Arabian desert, the race was held over the course of 15 days.
The only female rider in the Original by Motul, also known as the Malle Moto category, was a professional off-road and hard enduro competitor from KwaZulu-Natal.
Landman described the Dakar experience as difficult and a” complete emotional rollercoaster” in an earlier interview with Eyewitness News.
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For her Dakar 2025 campaign, the athlete will concentrate on making sure she is in excellent physical and mental condition.
Your physical health is directly impacted by mental health, which has a ripple effect. The challenges of being a professional athlete, the passing of my mother, and then the pulmonary embolism have all been difficult for me personally over the past few years. This has had an impact on my desire to train and how well I perform.
Landman wo n’t stop competing; instead, she’ll continue to prepare for the 2024 Cape Epic and her challenging enduro season while maintaining a flawless build-up to Dakar 2025.
Landman will compete in the Roof of Africa from November 29 through December 2 to cap off the year.
I know I could have done better, despite how much I’ve enjoyed the challenging enduro season so far. I’m eager to return to Lesotho and working hard to figure out how I can improve after Sea to Sky.
Landman is the first African woman to complete the Dakar Rally in 2020 and is hoping to see more women included in her sporting code. She has also completed races like Redbull Romaniacs, the Red Bull Sea to Sky, 111 and Braveman, as well as the Roof of Africa.