Dakar 2023: Hillier continues despite dislocated collarbone

James Hillier has confirmed he is riding with a dislocated collarbone despite taking on the most intense level of the Dakar Rally.

Hillier proved he is never one to shy away from a challenge after deciding his rookie venture in the Dakar would be as part of the assistance-free Original by Motul, ‘Malle Moto’ class - 15 days traversing the Saudi Arabian desert apparently not quite enough of a challenge!

The 37-year-old is currently enjoying a ‘rest day’. However, while there is no riding on Monday, the maintenance of his Rich Energy OMG GasGas 450 Rally is solely his responsibility. The Hampshire-based IOM TT rider sits 84th in the standings with six days left of competition after incurring a hefty penalty and the on-going complications from a shoulder injury as the first week drew to a close.

“Those who have been watching the results or times etc, I’ve had to go a bit slower,” Hillier explained from the end of Sunday’s stage eight. “On stage five, 100 kilometres from the end of the stage, I crashed - a small crash but landed bad on my shoulder and convinced I’d broken my collarbone.

“I finished the stage, 100 kilometres to the end, could feel the bone moving and I genuinely thought it was bust and it was the rally over because it was so painful - like I was in tears riding back.

“I made the mistake of getting in the ambulance from the end of the stage back to the Bivouac and that’s given me a big six hour penalty but anyway, I went back, got an x ray and turns out, I don’t know the medical term but my collarbone is dislocated from where it meets the shoulder. The doctor said it was alright for me to ride if I could, he said it’s not broke. So they strapped me up and give me some tablets and I’ve done two good days riding