Dubai: Discovery Channel TV star Simon Pavey is the fourth member of the Gecko Honda 'dream team', Trading Enterprises-Honda revealed on Friday.
The UK based off-road rider is an experienced Dakar rally entrant. Sean Linton, managing director of Dubai-based Gecko Motorcycles, and manager of the Honda sponsored bike and quad teams, invited Pavey to join the team having ridden with him in Australia while in training for the Race to Dakar.
Linton said: "Pavey is a fantastic rider and a great character to ride with. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge that will make him a fantastic asset to an already spectacular team."
The aptly named Gecko Honda 'dream team' features the best UAE talent in bikes and quads. UAE National Quad Motocross Champions Obaid Al Kitbi and Mohammad Al Shamsi head up the quad team riding the recently launched sports ATV, the TRX700.
A surprise third member of the quad team is female South African Minky Botha, who has ridden quads since she first arrived in Dubai eight years ago. The UAE Desert Challenge will be her first professional international rally.
Off-road experience
Joining Pavey on the Gecko Honda modified CFR 450 X bikes is Irishman Dave McBride who has vast off-road and rally experience.
Competing over the last 24 years in the UAE, he has achieved regular top three positions in the Motocross championship, finished in the top ten in the UAE Desert Challenge and was crowned UAE off-road champion in 2004. Remaining true to form, this year McBride gained second place in the open pro class of the Dubai Baja Championship Series.
Teammate Sean Gaugain has had an impressive two years consistently winning top podium positions in the UAE Motocross and Baja Championship Series. He secured first place in the 2006-07 Motocross Championship and finished this season in second place while winning this year's open pro class in the Baja Championship as well as the Muscat Festival Series.
Completing the team is Sean Linton of Gecko motorcycles.
Linton, who has held the seventh position in the worldwide rally standings on a Honda CRF 450 X for the past two years, has consistently scored top three finishes in off-road Middle East and UAE Motorcycle Championships. Last year Linton clinched second place in the 450 class in the Desert Challenge and won first place in the marathon class in this year's Baja Championship series.
The desert challenge takes place from October 24 to 31.
Trading Enterprises-Honda is a member of the Al Futtaim Group and the exclusive distributor for Honda in the UAE.
