Among the more than 500 participants who have registered for
Dakar 2019, Peru's Lucas Barron will make history as the first person with Down syndrome to compete in the toughest rally in the world.
"I'm nervous. It's my first time I'm going to race the Dakar," he told EFE with father Jacques Barron at his side.
Lucas will be his dad's co-pilot in the all-terrain utility vehicle (UTV) they hope will make it to the end of the 5,000km
(3,000mi) race.
"My dad is a special person to me," Lucas said.
The young man has long dreamed of competing in the Dakar after seeing Jacques, now 55, ride the event five times on his motorcycle.
Dubbed Barron x 2, the father-and-son team has experience on the dunes of the Peruvian desert, the stage for the 2019 Dakar, having raced in the 2017 Baja Inka and
this year's Inca Challenge.
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(END) EFE/RMB
Published: 12/12/2018