Alexander Smith tackles Dakar Rally (video)

Kate SwansonJanuary 13, 2016

News release

The Road To Dakar chronicles Alexander Smith’s quest to compete in the toughest, longest motorcycle rally in the world! Son of the Legendary Malcolm Smith, Alexander proves to be a chip off the old block! Some 50 years after Malcolm blazed a trail by winning the Baja 1000 on his Husky, Alexander is also racing a Husqvarna. A very cool video captures Alexander preparing for the biggest challenge of his life, the 2016 Dakar Rally in Argentina and Bolivia. MSR caught up with Alexander to talk about life, motorcycles and Dakar. Watch as Alexander prepares for the biggest challenge of his life, the 2016 Dakar Rally in Argentina and Bolivia.

“My earliest memory of riding dirt bikes was riding on the tank of my dad’s bike down in Baja,” says Alexander. “There was a lot of exploring happening and I think we stayed out a little later at night than we were expecting to… that kind of shaped my idea of what riding a dirt bike was supposed to be like!” It also started his fascination with pushing himself to his physical limits on a bike at extreme endurance events like the Red Bull Romaniacs and the 24 Hours Of Glen Helen.

Like Malcolm did years before, Alexander had to solo the Baja 1000 to test himself against the elements on a motorcycle pinned in top gear! “The only thing beyond the Baja 1000 is Dakar,” says Smith, so his road to challenge the 2016 Dakar Rally begins. Taking time off from his day job as GM of Malcolm Smith Motorsports, Alexander now follows in the footsteps of his famous father as he attempts to surmount the Mt. Everest of motorcycle racing: Dakar.

At least he has the right gear. “MSR was founded on thriving in the toughest conditions possible,” says MSR Brand Manager Brent Harden. “We have never forgotten our roots… instead we celebrate the spirit of adventure that Malcolm Smith based this company on, and we are honored to support Alexander’s effort to continue the family tradition!” At the halfway point, Alexander had already worked his way up from 103rd at the start to 47th position… definitely a chip off the old block!

Catch up on Alexander’s road to Dakar at: