SA's Charan Moore is rocking it at Dakar and leading the race's toughest category

South African rider Charan Moore is going strong at the 2023 Dakar Rally. The HT Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing team member has been showing good form throughout this year's race, but admits it has not been easy.

And rightly so, because the event's organisers have taken more care in making this year's race more challenging than ever before - for all competitors on four wheels and two.

But Moore has shown character in 2023, having made his Dakar debut in 2022. Last year, the SA man took on the world's most gruelling race in the 'Original by Motul' class - one of the toughest categories where riders are unassisted by a support team.

In 2022, Moore finished 34th overall in the bikes and fourth in the 'Original by Motul'. But 2023 is turning out to be a lot better, with Moore currently 30th overall and leading the 'Original by Motul' class!

Top of the Originals

Moore is no stranger to endurance racing. Coming from a racing family, he has always been involved with motorsport, but bikes are something that's been the one consistent in his life. His passion for two wheels increased massively over the years, so much that he is the Race Director for the tough-as-nails Roof of Africa event.

And the Roof of Africa is widely regarded as one of the world's toughest races for Enduro riders, where competitors must take care of themselves and their bikes, much like the 'Original by Motul' class. It is why Moore opted for Dakar's toughest category for the second consecutive year.

"I did a lot of testing in advance to work out the best suspension settings and rider position, so I've not been changing too much during the actual race," Moore said to Enduro World.

"My main priority each day is making sure that the bike works, so it's more about fixing