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WDD Bike
World Diabetes Day Bike
Support the World Diabetes Day Bike as it races through the deserts of the world!
An Australian rider, Youcef Cummings, is piloting the World Diabetes Day motorcycle which will compete in World Cross Country Rally events and other regional events throughout Africa and the Middle East in 2008.
Youcef plans to compete in four races during the year. The first race will take place in Tunisia on 23 April and will be staged through the deserts of Tunisia and Libya, starting in Marseilles, France. The event is over 9 days, covering more than 3000 km through the Tunisian desert and into the sand dunes of Libya.
Youcef has partnered with the International Diabetes Federation to raise money for diabetes research and education worldwide. You can pledge as little as 5¢ per kilometre today in support of this effort. Donate by entering an amount in the form on the right. Please note that there is a minimum online donation amount of €25 for this event.
The World Diabetes Day Bike
The World Diabetes Day motorcycle is a KTM 690 Factory Rally bike. It has a 72 hp engine with a top speed of over 175 km/h on sand. The motorcycle is a limited edition factory produced bike designed specifically for desert racing. It has a range of over 350 kms and is fitted with various navigation and survival equipment such as GPS, proximity warning devices, directional repeaters, 2 odometers, speedo, speed warning devices and other basic equipment. The motorcycle sports the official World Diabetes Day logo in English and Arabic, as well as the distinctive blue circle on the tanks.
Youcef has prepared extensively for the upcoming race. A high level of fitness is required to compete over 9 days, with each day of racing (including transport) amounting to 12 hours on the bike. Commenting on his preparation, Youcef said, "I have been working hard on the bicycle and been out on the motorcycle 3 times a week for the last few months. I have been spending as much time as I can in the dunes of the Sultanate of Oman where I currently live and I hope this training will prepare me well for Tunisia where temperatures can be extremely high during the day and cold at night."
Youcef wants to use the races to draw attention and raise awareness of diabetes, particularly in the Middle East, where diabetes is a significant problem. His motorcycle is a great way to do this.