Kirsten Landman

Kirsten Landman is South Africa’s top female enduro racer and a trailblazing pioneer who became the first African woman to finish the Dakar Rally, shattering barriers in the world’s toughest off-road motorcycle competitions.

EARLY YEARS

Growing up in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, Landman was the quintessential tomboy—always determined to keep up with the boys, no matter what they threw at her. Extreme sports and motorsports weren’t just hobbies; they were practically written into her DNA from the start[1][2][3][6][8].

At eight years old, she climbed onto her first dirt bike. What began as family fun—recreational riding through South Africa’s rugged terrain—slowly transformed into something much bigger[1][2][3][4][6][8]. For young Kirsten, those dusty weekend rides weren’t just entertainment. They were the beginning of a professional career that would eventually see her competing against the world’s toughest riders, most of them men, in some of the most brutal races on the planet.

OTHER INTERESTS

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EARLY SUCCESS

The leap from recreational dirt biking to professional racing came at age 22, when Landman decided to turn her passion into a career[1][2][3][4]. From the outset, she wasn’t interested in taking the easy route. She dove headfirst into male-dominated classes, competing in South African nationals and grueling international hard enduro events that would make most seasoned riders think twice[2][3][4].

Her early career was defined by a willingness to be the only woman in the room—or on the track. She earned South African Springbok Colours, the country’s highest sporting honor for international competition, often as the sole female competitor[3][4]. It was a preview of what would become her trademark: showing up, holding her ground, and finishing what she started, no matter how steep the odds.

By 2015, Landman was testing herself at Red Bull Romaniacs, one of the hardest enduro rallies in the world. Her first attempt at the Silver class didn’t end with a finish due to complications, but she wasn’t deterred[4]. The following year, 2016, proved to be a breakout season. She podiumed at every round of the South African National Enduro Championship and finished second overall—her best result in the nationals[2]. That same year, she also placed fourth in the FIM Super Enduro World Series in Prague and made history at the Roof of Africa, becoming the first woman ever to finish the Gold class in the event’s 49-year history, and she did it unassisted[2].

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2016: Second overall in South African National Enduro Championship after podiuming at all rounds[2].
• 2016: Fourth place, FIM Super Enduro World Series, Prague[2].
• 2016: First woman in 49-year history to finish Roof of Africa Gold class, unassisted[2].
• 2018: Second overall and first lady, X-Race Namibia Expert Class[4].
• 2018: 15th overall and first lady, Red Bull Romaniacs Bronze Class[4].
• 2018: Only lady in Gold Class, Sea to Sky, Turkey; finished 31st overall[4].
• 2018: 28th overall in Expert class, King of the Hill; first lady to finish Expert class[2][4].
• 2018: Fourth place, FIM Super Enduro World Series, Prague[2][4].
• 2018: Only female competitor at Alfie Cox Red Bull Invitational Extreme Enduro; reached semi-final, ranked 15th[4].
• 2020: Finished 55th overall and third place female Moto Pilot, Dakar Rally, Saudi Arabia; first African woman to finish Dakar Rally[1][2][3][5].
• 2020: South African Overall Silver Class National Champion in male-dominated class[2].
• 2020: Finished 33rd overall in Roof of Africa Gold class; first woman in event’s 49-year history to finish Gold class, unassisted[2].
• 2021: Finished 24th overall, Rally Du Maroc[2].
• 2022: First place female and Silver Class finish, Sea to Sky, Turkey[2].
• 2022: 16th overall Silver class and first place female, Roof of Africa, Lesotho[2].
• 2023: 12th place Original by Motul Class, second place Women’s Trophy Class, 48th Rally 2 Class, 71st overall, Dakar Rally, Saudi Arabia; third woman in Dakar history to finish Original By Motul “Malle Moto” unassisted class[2][3][5].
• 2023: First place Pro Women’s class, Tennessee Knock Out[2].
• 2023: US AMA Pro Women’s Extreme Enduro National Champion[2].
• 2023: Second place overall Silver Class and first place female, Sea to Sky, Turkey[2].
• Career: First woman to complete/finish Red Bull Romaniacs (Silver/Bronze), Red Bull Sea to Sky, Red Bull Megawatt 111, Red Bull Braveman, Roof of Africa Gold class, and King of the Hill Expert class[1][2][3][4].

INSPIRATIONS

Landman has idolized Laia Sanz—the Spanish enduro and rally legend—since the beginning of her professional career. Sanz, a multiple-time women’s trial world champion and veteran Dakar Rally competitor, has been a guiding light for Landman, particularly inspiring her with the later transition to cars[5]. The admiration runs deep; Landman hopes to follow in the footsteps of riders like Sanz, Sandra Gomez, and Mirjam Pol, working to pave the way for the next generation of women in motorsports.

“I hope I can inspire the younger generation, being a part of the likes of Laia Sanz, Sandra Gomez, and Mirjam Pol,” she said. “I think we can see a girl within the top 10 or even the top 5 among the guys. We’ve seen it with Ana Carrasco in road racing, women in the single-seaters on four wheels. Slowly it’s coming through. It’s exciting, and I want to be a part of it all”[5].

REPUTATION

Kirsten Landman’s reputation in the motorsports world is built on one undeniable truth: she shows up, and she finishes. Dubbed “South Africa’s most formidable woman on two wheels,” she’s celebrated not just for her skill, but for her relentless ability to thrive in a male-dominated arena where most women don’t even get a starting gate[3][4][6].

Her list of “firsts” is staggering. First African woman to complete the Dakar Rally. First woman to finish the Roof of Africa Gold class in nearly 50 years. First woman to complete Red Bull Romaniacs, Red Bull Sea to Sky, and King of the Hill Expert class. Third woman in Dakar history to finish the brutal Original By Motul “Malle Moto” unassisted category[1][2][3][4][5]. These aren’t just milestones—they’re seismic shifts in what’s possible for women in off-road and rally racing.

The media has consistently framed Landman as a trailblazer and barrier-breaker, with positive coverage highlighting her tenacity, indomitable spirit, and dedication in the toughest competitions on Earth[1][4][5]. She’s not racing to participate; she’s racing to rewrite the script. And she’s doing it with a quiet, fierce determination that demands respect from anyone paying attention.

“As one of the few women in this sport, I’m not just racing for myself—I’m racing for every girl out there who dreams of defying expectations,” she explained[3].

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Landman, now based in Cape Town, South Africa, has her sights set firmly on the future[3]. She plans to compete in hard enduro races throughout 2024 and is actively seeking sponsorship for the 2025 Dakar Rally, where she intends to compete once again in the demanding Original by Motul category in Saudi Arabia[3].

For Landman, the Dakar Rally isn’t just another race—it’s where she feels most alive. “The Dakar Rally isn’t just a race for me,” she said. “It’s where I feel most alive, where I challenge myself beyond limits, and where I continue to chase my dreams”[3].

After her stunning 2023 performance, where she became the third woman in history to finish the Original By Motul class, she reflected on the magnitude of her achievement: “When you got a goal in sight and you focused on it, you’ll do anything and nothing will stop you. For me to have done what I’ve done, I’m still letting it all settle in and taking it all in. It was so overwhelming. This Dakar is definitely the highlight of my career so far”[5].

If there’s one thing Kirsten Landman has proven over and over, it’s this: give her a goal, and she’ll find a way to cross the finish line. Dakar 2025? Consider her ready.

References:

Speakers Inc – Kirsten Landman Bio
Kirsten Landman Official Site – About
Kirsten Landman Official Site – Homepage
The Pit Crew Online – Kirsten Landman Interview (March 8, 2021)
Paddock Sorority – Kirsten Landman Feature (Feb 5, 2023)
Good Things Guy – Kirsten Landman Profile
One Movement – Kirsten Landman Profile