Nick Sanders defies terrorist threat and continues trip

Round-the-world record holder Nick Sanders is to continue leading a group of motorcyclists across Africa to Timbuktu despite terrorist threats which lead to the cancellation of the Paris-Dakar rally.

Sanders and 35 other riders will continue their ride from the UK down to Mali. The ride will take the riders through Mauritania, the area where four French tourists were murdered. Nine stages of the rally were due to take place in the country, but specific threats to the rally forced organisers to cancel.

Sanders told MCN: “This is not a trip for the faint hearted – the political climate and terrorist threat has always been a reality in this region of Africa, however in consultation with local fixers and the relevant embassies, the riders have made the decision to carry on.” said Nick.

Of course it is a real disappointment that the Dakar has been cancelled, however, we are now free to take another route. We will be evaluating the situation on a daily basis and adapting our new route accordingly.”

Click here to see what Mick Extrance thinks of the Dakar cancellation