Goosebumps! Joey Evans Goes from Para to Conquering Dakar, Inspiring South Africans & World

Amazing South African Joey Evans (41) has achieved his ultimate dream and conquered the impossible by reaching the Dakar podium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. And along the way he has won so many fans around the world, and inspired each and every one… not to mention how proud he has made South Africans everywhere.

Racing at Dakar – renowned as the toughest and greatest rally in the world – had been a long-time dream of Joey’s… until a horrific accident during the Heidelburg Hare Scramble 10 years ago left him paralysed from below the chest down.

Doctors said he would never walk again, but with a risky operation and pure grit and determination… he slowly recovered some movement, and with the support of fans on his ‘From Para to Dakar” facebook page, he grabbed back onto his Dakar dream and refused to let go.

This weekend he not only completed the race, but became the only South African biker to complete Dakar 2017.

ZA Bikers said: “This will go down in Dakar history as one of the most memorable performances ever!”

His biggest fan and wife, Meredith Evans, posted a video of him last night, that was sent to her from South America (see below) and said: “Watching this makes me want him home even more. Joey you’re amazing, your will power and never give up attitude have inspired so many… 2 more sleeps my boy❤.”

Evans was 95th of 97 finishers. Fellow South Africans David Thomas and Walter Terblanche were among 34 riders who did not complete the race, which was won by Sam Sunderland of Great Britain (making history himself as the first Brit to win it in its 37 year history).

The final stage had been the toughest. François Donogheux from the UK reported from South America on Saturday: “The Hero of Dakar goes to Joey Evans of South Africa… Blimey he helped all the guys with broken arms and legs. the lads that broke down, the lads who gave up, he pushed them on to the finish. and then last night he was run over, him and his bike by one of the rally cars, fixed his smashed bike with bits of tree, then limped to the end of the 500km stage, landed in the early hours, What a Guy…”

His friends took to facebook to congratulate him and Meredith, and Joey’s entire team, with one friend saying: “We should count the tears we’ve all wept as we witness the agony and determination and joy. Unbelievable!”

If you’d like to welcome Joey The Legend back to South Africa and give him the “proper SA Hero welcome” he deserves – he is due to land at OR Tambo on Tuesday (tomorrow) 17 January at 13h10 on Latam Airlines JJ 8162.

Watch Joey’s Story and Joey Evans on the Dakar Podium

It’s impossible not to shed the odd tear watching this…

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