Gecko: 'I Just Want To Try And Finish'

If you take a look at the competing teams in the bikes section of this year's UAE Desert Challenge, there is one name that dominates the field-Gecko Honda.

It is a fact that Sean Linton, the managing director of Gecko Motorcycles, is understandably elated about.

The veteran rider is no stranger to the challenges of the five day event starting Monday having featured regularly with ample success since his Desert Challenge debut in 2001.

But while he attempts to balance his role as a rider and a member on the technical side, newcomer Vicky Northway, better known to listeners of radio station Channel 4 as presenter Vicky White, is focused on just one aim – to last the full 2,210 kilometres.

"I just want to try and finish the race, that's all," says Northway.

And Linton, who has been getting the team's newest rider ready, agrees.

"It's the right thing to do if it's your first time in an endurance event," he says.

It will be an amazing achievement for Northway, who progressed from short to longer stretches in the desert only this year.

"I had been doing shorter runs for six years. I started the longer runs in March and the decision to do the Challenge just sort of came about. Some friends were over at our place and said they had done it and then my husband Steve spoke to Sean and that's how it was decided," she says.

Northway started off on the Honda CRF 250X before Linton encouraged her to switch to the more powerful 450cc and he is full of praise for the debutant.

"She has trained over the summer which is the worst time to ride and it proves her dedication and commitment," he says.

But according to Linton, the Desert Challenge is not just about realising goals, however big or small they may be.

"It is also a social thing which brings a lot of people together," he says.

Northway adds: "The biking community is made up of the nicest people. It's been such fun, to get up at 3.45am on a Friday morning it's got to be fun."

Linton has been heavily involved behind the scenes in tuning the machines, some of which featured at the Australian Rally Safari in August, to near perfection. But he assures there will be no compromise on obtaining a good result.

"My priorities have changed a little bit compared to previous years. My goal now is to pass on some of my experience to the development side so that next year we can have something still more competitive for the new riders coming in.

"But for sure I'm going to give it everything I've got," says the defending GCC Rally Champion.

Where To Watch?

Rally enthusiasts who wish to follow the progress of the competitors need to travel to Moreeb Hill which is the rally's desert base near Liwa Oasis

General Public Scrutineering

The scrutineering of each competitor prior to the flag off presents a chance to see the line-up of cars, trucks and bikes before they head out into the desert

Venue: Dubai International Marine Club

When: Saturday, Oct 27, 9am to 5pm

Super Special Stage

Free admission and grandstand seating to see the world's top drivers and riders battle against the clock on a specially-built 2km track

Venue: Near Burj Al Arab at the Al Wasl Road/Umm Suqeim junction, opposite Dubai Police College

When: Sunday, Oct 28, 4pm

Official Rally Start

The flag off to the 2,210km five-day race featuring 177 participants from 33 nations

Venue: Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi Corniche

When: Monday, Oct 29, 9.30am

Official Rally Finish

A chance to welcome the winners and the others as they cross the finish line