The sole Greek participant in the most challenging “marathon” of motorsport, testing both human and machine across the desolate desert kilometers.

One of the toughest, if not the most grueling, motorsport events has been unfolding for days now across the arid landscapes of Saudi Arabia. The Dakar Rally, originally known as the Paris-Dakar Rally, began in 1978 as a daring vision by Frenchman Thierry Sabine to traverse two continents—Europe and Africa—in a marathon adventure.

Comparable to the endurance and legacy of a classic marathon, this race spans over 7,000 kilometers of specialized routes each year. Participants compete in three main categories: motorcycles, cars, and trucks, each adhering to specific engine and design standards. The ultimate goal for every competitor? To cross the finish line.

For the past four years, Greece’s sole representation has come from Vasilis Boudros, an enduro and rally motorcycle racer. Vasilis began his motorsport journey at a young age, competing in local friendly races with the help of friends who provided his first racing bike. Since then, he has amassed numerous participations and accolades in international competitions such as the Andalucia Rally and the grueling Rallye du Maroc. His passion for motorcycles and speed was instilled in him by his grandfather, who owned one of Athens’ first motorcycle parts shops. Inspired by Dakar posters on his grandfather’s walls, Vasilis dreamed of one day racing among the world’s best—a dream he has achieved.

Through personal effort and professional sacrifices, Vasilis secured his first Dakar participation in 2022. He became only the second Greek rider to finish the race on a motorcycle. This was just the beginning, as in 2024, he took on the challenge of the Original by Motul category—formerly known as Malle Moto—considered the toughest class in Dakar. Here, competitors must perform all maintenance and mechanical repairs on their motorcycles after each stage, without external assistance, a true test of endurance and skill.

This category’s strict regulations allow no room for error, with even minor infractions resulting in disqualification. It attracts an average of just 25 riders annually, primarily privateers, out of a total of 134 riders competing in this year’s race. Once again, Vasilis has risen to the challenge in this category for the third consecutive year.

At the 2025 Dakar Rally, Vasilis rides his trusted companion, “Pnoi” (Breath), a factory-built Husqvarna FE 450cc motorcycle specifically designed for such extreme events. His team’s main sponsor, DNA High Performance Filters—a Greek company specializing in high-spec air filters—developed a custom filter capable of withstanding the desert’s harsh conditions. Other key sponsors include Husqvarna Hellas and the Petros Petropoulos Group, who have supported Vasilis throughout his journey.

As the first stage of the rally concludes, competitors have already covered 3,500 kilometers in less than seven days. Vasilis continues to improve his individual performance, currently ranking 11th in the Original by Motul category and 56th overall. His determination and resilience embody the spirit of Dakar, proving once again that dreams fueled by passion and persistence can become reality.