20/06/2026
Rally - the school of life
RALLY ALBANIA would be the toughest rally i have ever done. Its already a tough race in itself. But there has been much more behind the scenes.
5 weeks before, my dad had a bad stroke, and unfortunately died 3 weeks later. During this time i was basically at hospital every free minute, not really thinking at the race. And then, 2 weeks before the race, i asked myself, and what now?
My dad never gave up, and he would have laughed at me if i had used his death as an excuse to quit.
So with basically zero preparation and a heavy heart i went to Albania.
I struggled a bit to get into the race. Stage one was a tough one but i had a lot of fun. I remever on day two i had tears running down my face in the middle of the stage, but i kept going.
Stage 3 came. In the very beginning in the 70 speed zone a tourist o an ADV bike suddenly changed line when i was about to pass, we touched handlebars and i flew into the woods. Took a few minutes to be able to breath again, to take the bike out of the bushes, to exchange numbers and documents with the guy, and to continue. I had a whiplash and broken ribs, was desorientated and barely could find my way. But i kept going.
Medics were worried about my condition and wouldn’t want to let me start unless i sign that i do it at my own risk. I signed and kept going.
The 500km stage came, and the universe decided that broken bones and a heavy heart is not enough of a challange, lets add a thunderstorm, loads of mud and freezing temperatures. I kept going anyway.
And somehow there was the finishline.
How did i get there?
With people who helped me get up and down of the bike when i barely could myself, gave me a thumbs up when passing, cheering, giving a hug, paying me a wash, giving me icecream or some magic pills, or just asking me how i am at the checkpoints. People who believed in me and wanted me to see cross that finishline. It really meant the world to me, thank you!
