By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

MAZABUKA rider David Reeve yesterday left for Buenos Aires, Argentina to try his third attempt at the Dakar Rally which runs from January 4 to 17, 2005 in South America.

Reeve, who will be hoping to finish the race after twice failing in the first two attempts, expressed excitement at getting one more opportunity to achieve his dream.

“Today (yesterday) I leave for my third shot at finishing the toughest and longest race on earth-The Dakar Rally. And this year, there are only 168 bikes in the race so I see it as a huge privilege. Many thanks to all my sponsors and fans for the support,” he said.

Reeve became the first and only Zambian to take part in the Dakar Rally to have taken park in the race set for the South American dry terrain.

He, however, did not finish his first attempt in 2014 as well as the last edition after breaking his left leg and a dislocating his knee respectively and said he wants to take it easy this time so that he can finish the race.

“Last year, I suffered another cruel moment. On Day-There, I overtook two riders who were together and hit a rock. I somersaulted over the bike and dislocated my knee, injuring my ligament. But for this one, I’ll take it easy as I want to finish the race,” he said.

Reeve went on to recharge at the Morocco World Championships earlier this year where he got an encouraging 16th position finish saying that has boosted his confidence.

“I went to the Morocco Rally with a totally different attitude. I need to forget about the racing and focus on the navigation and of course, not overtaking. I’m going to take it slowly and it will come to me.