Yorkshire biker fulfils dream after completing epic Paris to Dakar rally
He began riding at the age of eight and has competed in some gruelling challenges, but nothing could have prepared Robbie Wallace for his toughest race yet.
He crossed the line at the end of the 5,000-mile, 14-day Paris-Dakar rally becoming the quickest British rider.
The 28-year-old from Northallerton said: “Finishing the Dakar Rally on a motorbike has been a dream of mine since I was a child and I never thought I would get the opportunity to even compete in this race.
“But after many years of hard work and determination I was able to get there and finish. You just always have to believe, I guess.”
Robbie, an overhead lines co-ordinator with Northern Powergrid, said finishing the prestigious Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia was a dream come true.
He finished in 43rd place and 32nd place in the competitive Rally 2 class – taking the top British finisher spot and achieving his lifelong dream of a gold medal.
Robbie, who first began riding at the age of eight and competed in his first race at 11, first took on the Dakar Rally challenge in 2025 but was forced to retire early due to injury.
He came back stronger than ever in 2026, battling rocky terrains and sand dunes on his 450cc KTM, under intense heat after more than 66 hours of competitive racing across Saudi Arabia.
The enduro expert who competes nationally and internationally against professional riders on top of his regular day job, started riding on a KTM sx 85cc in 2009 at Woodhouse, Great Ayton.
With support from his family, father Duncan, a retired resource engineering manager and brother Tom, an engineer also for Northern Powergrid, Robbie has successfully competed in the British Sprint and British Enduro XC Championships and many rallies oversees – all setting him in good stead to take on the challenge of his life in the Middle East.
Throughout the rally, the Yorkshireman took in the sights of the Red Sea port of Yanbu, the cities of AlUla, Hail, Wadi Ad-Dawasir, Bisha, Al Henakiyah and the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh.
Along his journey he encountered renowned cyclist, Sir Mark Cavendish, who helped Robbie power on, as well as the thrill of an impressive impromptu drag race with world rally champion Sebastien Loeb.
Robbie said: “The past two weeks in the Saudi Arabian desert were challenging physically and even more so mentally.
"With the 4am starts and over 12 hours on the bike some days, finally getting that finisher’s medal is an enormous relief and I’m extremely proud to be the top British finisher and representing my country on the world stage.”
Paul McGinlay, Northern Powergrid’s director of regional operations said: “We’re incredibly proud of Robbie competing and taking the top British finisher spot at the Dakar Rally.
“His hard work and determination in his motorcycle career has paid off and taken him to new heights and he is a testament to our people who have a range of diverse skills and talents.”