+

MAKIS DEWI REES-STAVROS

JOHN WILLIAM MEDINA SALAZAR

ZHANG MIN

(chn) 1.78m / 75kg

Hobbies

Starteam moto club, CrossFit, hiking, travel

Sponsors

Wupu Dahaidao

• Dakar record
• Other palmares

2022: 61st
2020: 51st
2019: 46th
2018: Ab. Stage 11
2017: Ab. Stage 2

2019: Taklimakan Rally (2nd)
2018: Taklimakan Rally (2nd)
2017: Taklimakan Rally (2nd)
2016: ATR (4th), Taklimakan Rally (3rd)
2015: Grand China Rally (4th), ATR (4th)
2013: ATR (2nd)

Interview

Flying the flag for China

Zhang Min has become a Dakar regular in recent years and returns for his sixth appearance in 2023. The Chinese biker first caught the eye at national events like the Taklimakan Rally, where he finished on the podium in four consecutive editions between 2016 and 2019. He was let down by mechanical issues in his first two Dakar outings in 2017 and 2018, but his persistence paid off as he reached the finish line of Dakar 2019 in 46th place. The 45-year-old also made it through Dakar 2020, coming home just outside the top 50, but had to skip Dakar 2021 after the pandemic hit his home region hard and forced him to quarantine. The local hotel owner returned a year ago to claim his third straight finish in 61st. Zhang has previously said that improved fitness and greater experience are the keys to success on the Dakar. However, it hasn't been easy to get competitive kilometres under his belt this year, as China continues to grapple with Covid-19. Nevertheless, along with his Wupu Dahaidao teammates Zhao Hongyi and Zaker Yakp, Zhang knows exactly what it takes to tame the world's toughest rally. With the usual support from Armand Monleon and Sergi Duran of SDS Pro Race, he has every chance of standing on the finishers' podium in Dammam on 15 January.

Vehicle

WU PU DA HAI DAO RALLY TEAM

KTM 450 RALLY REPLICA
WU PU DA HAI DAO RALLY TEAM

• Mark KTM
• Model 450 RALLY REPLICA
• Performance tuner SDS Pro Race
• Assistance Wupu Dahaidao Rally Team
• Class Rally 2

Ranking 2023

All news of Z. Min

Dakar Mag - 12/01 12:44 [GMT +3] - Bike

When the Dakar takes on a Chinese accent

 The six Chinese riders enrolled on the Dakar in 2023 are still in the race with four days to go. The three most experienced are in the Joyride team, benefitting from the precious advice of former biker Armand Monleon.

 The Chinese already have a certain amount of history on the Dakar. In the car category, they have their uncontested standard-bearer,...

Read more

#58 MIN ZHANG (chn), Wu Pu Da Hai Dao Rally Team, Moto, action during the Prologue of the Dakar 2023, on December 31, 2022 near Yanbu, Saudi Arabia - A.S.O./H.Cabilla

Follow us

Get exclusive information