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The Dakar Rally doesn’t give you anything for free — and today it dealt a brutal blow.
Around 250 km into Stage 1, James Hillier had a low-speed crash, landing awkwardly on rocks and injuring his arm. True to form, he picked the bike up and pushed on to finish the stage. But as anyone who’s raced Dakar knows, your body always tells the truth eventually.
After medical checks at the bivouac, James was diagnosed with a fracture just below the elbow. Doctors have advised him to retire from the remainder of this year’s Dakar Rally.
A heart-breaking outcome after everything it takes to even make it to the start line.
James said:
“Gutted is an understatement. It’s taken a lot to get here, and I’d once again like to send my appreciation to all my sponsors who made this journey possible.”
Dakar is the toughest race on the planet. It demands total commitment — physically, mentally, and emotionally — and James gave it everything. Riding through pain, finishing the stage, and facing the decision head-on is exactly the kind of grit and determination that defines him as a racer.
We’re massively proud to support James and everything he stands for. While this Dakar campaign ends earlier than planned, this is far from the end of the road. Right now, the focus is on recovery and coming back stronger.
Fans can keep up with the full Dakar journey over on the Muc-Off Moto and James’ Instagram channels.
