As part of the factory Yamaha motocross team's pre-season test and training programme, riders' Stefan Everts and Cedric Melotte were flown to the spectacular sand dunes of Namibia.
Situated in the south-western area of Africa, Namibia's infamous Swakopmund dunes offer a huge sand playground for novice and skilled riders alike - and is among the venues used in
Crusty Demons of Dirt and other well known motocross films.
"One of my best memories of the past months was in the training and photoshoot we did in Namibia (pictured)," said Everts, currently facing a race against time to recover from a rib injury in time for this weekend's season opening Motocross GP. "I was again very impressed. The riding was really great: once we got used to the deep sands that is (no special sand tyres were used during the the shoot).
"Looking back I'm very pleased with the job we did there. I really like the pictures and that is the result of a good collaboration of the riders and the photographers. I've done a lot of photoshoots in my career but this one really stands out for me. Hopefully people will appreciate it."
New team-mate Melotte did not know what to expect from the African adventure, but enjoyed his first experience of working in a factory team.
"The sand is so deep and soft I can not even try to compare it with a regular motocross track," he added. "Depending on the sun, the colour of the sand changes constantly. Riding there was just a very special sensation, call it the perfect setting for play riding.
"Still you have to work very hard in the sand and the heat and sunshine made it extremely demanding. But the trip was just memorable in general: seeing the wildlife and beautiful nature, working with top-notch photographers and the attention of the media. I could not believe, what was happening it was like a dream coming true."
To see more pictures from the photoshoot, kindly supplied by Yamaha Racing, click on
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