KEY POINTS:
Michael Shepherd is realistic that the only "first" he is likely to get in the Dakar 2009 rally is as the first New Zealander to race a motorbike in one of the world's most demanding endurance races.
In fact, 44-year-old Shepherd, Kaitaia born and bred and with no
sponsorship or claims to professionalism, finished stage one of the rally from Buenos Aires to Santa Rosa in four hours and 37 minutes - an hour and 50 minutes behind the leader.
His brother, Auckland Medical School professor Peter Shepherd, giggled when he thought how Michael would fare, although he did improve his ranking from 234th to 167th after the 371km special stage.
"Every year a couple of people get killed doing this rally, so for him just to get to the end will be an achievement," said Professor Shepherd. "He started second to last in the rankings so if he finished in the top 100 he would be extraordinarily pleased."
Professor Shepherd said his brother had always been "a bit crazy" so it was not too much of a surprise when he found out he had paid about 50,000 ($123,854) out of his own pocket to compete.
"He didn't have any sponsorship so he saved all the money himself ... it's something he's always wanted to do," said Professor Shepherd.
"I'm sure it's been worth it, though. Everyone there has told him he's the first New Zealander to ever race a motorbike in the event."
This year's rally was moved to South America after threats of terrorism forced its departure from its traditional home in Africa.
About 500 trucks, quads, cars and motorbikes will race nearly 9574km, including treks across the Andes mountains into Chile and back across the Atacama Desert, the world's driest.
Competitors will cover an average of 736km on each of the 13 race days.
Professor Shepherd said a couple of motorbike rallies in Morocco had helped to get his brother into shape for the big one.
He said the terrain might be a bit like New Zealand, offering some advantages.
"Also all the other riders are doing it for the first time - on the old course some people have done it 10 times before," Professor Shepherd said.
"Having said that, it's still a pretty challenging course."
