‘Pink elephant’ against cancer: the Spanish crew leading the Dakar in classic trucks

In so many cars of Dakarit was impossible not to notice him. He ‘Pink Elephant’, they call him We refer to the Mercedes 1844 AK of Dakar Classic of the Spanish crew led by the Canarian Rafael Lesmes (04/10/1959, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria). This adventurer, who loves motorcycles, participated in the legendary Rally of The Pharaohs or the Camel Trophy and in 2004 he fulfilled his lifelong dream of getting to the starting line of the Dakar by car, but “In a dune area in Ouarzazate, I had a mechanical breakdown and the engine stopped. “It didn’t start,” note for MD. He finished the job on his return to this appointment in 2007 and is moved when he recalls the moment he arrived at Pink Lake. And now, at 65 years old, he continues to live his passion for the Dakar, although this time, motivated by other goals.

He returned to his beloved career in 2023, 16 years later, with a social responsibility to spread a necessary message, the foundation of the Canary Islands spread. ‘Walk for Life’, which helps people affected by breast cancer. Through his pink truck he wants to give visibility to the Spanish Male Breast Cancer Association (INVI Association) already ‘Think Pink Europe’, association with more than 100 foundations from 27 European countries. All this, to express the importance of prevention and early detection of breast cancer, in women and men.

“Many do not know that the prevention of breast cancer is also important for men, because when they are usually diagnosed it is in an advanced and dangerous state. And that is why the truck is pink. “. Thus, it raises funds so that women diagnosed in the Canary Islands have psychological care after receiving the news of their illness.

Tabatha and her father’s dream

Rafael returned Dakar on the Challenger (light prototype), already has a pink car for that reason, and in 2024 he chose to debut in Dakar Classicalthough this time by truck. “In my 40 years of experience, I have never competed in a truck”highlighted MD. But it was ignored. It won the classic truck category and finished 9th overall in the classic, among cars in this category.

The most incredible thing of all is that a few months before that Dakar, Rafael was left without a pilot. I had to improvise. “It’s been a month and I’ve started looking for a new co-pilot.” That was in the Spanish structure TH-Trucks told him about a talented young woman: Tabatha Romon. What he didn’t know was that this would be the key part for his success in a class where the co-pilot is more key because he must control the devices and measures of regularity and navigation at the same time.

“I didn’t expect it. Shortly before the Dakar 2024, Raphael He contacted me. I’m going to Dakar, said the 29-year-old from Madrid. A few months later, Tabatha would win her debut. “It’s surreal”he exclaimed.

his father, Gregory Romona mechanic and lover of motorcycles, brought him to this world. He wants to participate in amateur events and Tabatha decides to join him, just to be with him. Then, they want to try regularly in the Spanish Championship. And in 2022, the father and son were runners-up in Spain. Always his father’s dream Dakar and he was able to fulfill it. Now, he sighed thinking about what it would be like to share this adventure in the same cabin as Gregory.

First, it’s time for him to continue mentoring Rafael and the team’s mechanics, Albert Casabonathat Lesmes had already worked with as a mechanic on his Mitsubishi Montero in the Pharaohs Rally. The Spanish crew finished the first week in the overall lead, in search of a second straight Classics victory. And above all, they spread their message. ‘Pink Elephant’ is going strong.