Austrian Tobias Ebster competes in the Dakar Rally for the first time and makes his mark in the “Malle Moto” class – victories in the first two stages
Tobias Ebster has made a strong debut in his first participation in the Dakar Rally. The Austrian will be competing in the “Malle Moto” class (Original by Motul) in Saudi Arabia. In this category, the motorcyclists are completely on their own and are not embedded in a team structure.
Ebster finished the short prologue in first place on his KTM. The Zillertal rider then stepped on the gas in the first long stage and took victory in his class with a lead of over a quarter of an hour. Ebster followed this up with another class victory in the second stage.
“I rode really strongly this morning. I caught up with five or six riders and navigated really well,” “But I knew that it would be too much of a risk if I continued at this pace.”
“If I crash, I have to repair everything on the bike myself. That’s why I thought I’d ease off the gas. I finished 29th overall and first in my class. I extended my lead. What more could you want?”
After the first two stages, Ebster already has a 20-minute lead in the overall “Malle Moto” standings. As a rookie, did he expect to be able to perform like this on his first Dakar days? “Actually, yes,” the 26-year-old demonstrates his self-confidence.
“I know from driving that I can ride right up front. But I have to cut back a bit because I have to do everything myself on the bike. The top riders can go all in. When they arrive, their bike is done and they have physio.”
“I don’t have all that.” Because when the “Malle Moto” riders return to the bivouac after a long stage, they have to do all the work on the bike themselves. The organizer brings a box of tools to the next bivouac.
They sleep in a tent. “I want to do this professionally and think it’s the best way to start,” says Ebster, explaining why he chose the most difficult class for the Dakar premiere. “Of course, I also save myself 30,000 euros in service costs. “
“But even the RallyGP drivers have to repair something themselves if something happens outside. Many of them can’t do that, for example. That’s why I think it’s a good place to start, because it’s the toughest class. The GP riders say the same thing.”
“Of course I have to set up the tent myself every day. But I’m at home in the mountains and I like hiking. You sleep in a tent on the mountain from time to time and do it voluntarily.” Ebster started out in motorsport with motocross races in Austria.
He came to rallying on the recommendation of his uncle – a certain Heinz Kinigadner. “He asked me if I wanted to come to Tunisia with him to drive in the desert. That was in 2019.” The coronavirus pandemic then delayed the rally plans somewhat.
“I only drove my first rally two and a half years ago. And to be at the Dakar now is breathtaking,” says Ebster about his rapid progress. “I’m investing everything in it! I quit my job and my family supports me.”
“My father has two jobs and I deliver pizza on the side to finance everything here. There is no plan B. That’s why I’m here. It’s definitely the toughest race in the world. They don’t call it that for nothing. “
Racing ascent and ambitious goals
Ebsters’ victory at the Baja World Cup final in Dubai in December 2022 was decisive. He was able to use the prize money to finance his start at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2023. There was a “Road to Dakar” program for the best newcomer.
“On the penultimate day, I was second, three minutes behind a Frenchman. I didn’t want to let that get to me and stepped on the gas again. That was the golden ticket for the Dakar, so to speak.”
Ebster won the Rally2 classification at the ADDC and therefore did not have to pay an entry fee for the Dakar Rally. However, it almost didn’t work out with a start. In October, he injured his shoulder during the Morocco Rally and had to undergo surgery
At the beginning of November, Ebster broke his left scaphoid bone in an unfortunate fall on foot and had to have another operation. His shoulder is currently no longer causing him any problems when riding. Painkillers help with the pain in the scaphoid.
The racer from Fügen in Tyrol is currently a privateer. He has great long-term ambitions for the future. A place in the KTM works team would be a big dream. “Of course, definitely,” laughs the 26-year-old.
“I got to know everyone at KTM at the Desert Challenge and we get on really well. That was quite funny. I had to prepare my own tires. All the factory riders thought I was the mechanic.”
“Then I rode in the Desert Challenge and was immediately faster than Skyler Howes. Then I got a voice message from KTM telling me who I actually was: ‘We know you ride motocross, but as a no-name you’re just ahead of Skyler’ That was really cool!”