RIP Kemal Merkit

[crankshaft]

So sad, What an amazing person. I always enjoyed tracking his Dakar progress, sadly that will never be again. RIP....

[JayBo1]

I can't believe it. I met Kemal at the Desert Challenge and he was a great guy. As everyone is saying, he was friendly and would do anything for anyone without hesitation. Such a huge loss to the world in general, let alone just the rally world. He will be missed. Rest In Peace mate.

[binotuz]

I still cannot believe that we lost such a wonderful man. Nothing to say.

[JanB]

terrible news... I thought of him as my secret, humble, most positive and most awesome motorcycling hero.

[Deadly99]

Bummer. Kemal seemed, to me, to represent what the Dakar was all about.

RIP

I snapped this photo after day two of the Dakar last January.

[Deco]

Originally Posted by Deadly99

Bummer. Kemal seemed, to me, to represent what the Dakar was all about.

RIP

Exactly.

Such a tragic lose for all.

[doyle]

I just can't...

[ArthDuro]

may they both Rest In Peace
and ride on through the gates of forever

my thoughts are with their families

[umitc]

Rest in peace Kemal; we will miss you.
:-((

[tehdutchie]

https://www.facebook.com/TransAnatoliaOfficial

This morning, at around 8.30 am, during the run at the 6th special stage of Meke (near Karapınar town of Konya), the Dutch motorcycle rider Wouter Vaarkamp racing as number 22, ran into Italian rider Mirco Miotto, number 2 and Turkish rider Kemal Merkit number 7, while they were on the race route.

As a result of this unfortunate sports accident, athletes Kemal Merkit and Wouter Vaarkamp sadly lost their lives at the scene. The slightly wounded Mirco Miotto has been given the necessary medical attention by the medical team of the organization.

Our loss and grief is great…

May our beloved Kemal and the 18-year-old Wouter, who bonded with everyone in a short time, rest in peace and our condolences to their grieving families and friends.

[Yellow Pig]

So sad.

[Stagehand]

oH SHIT I just heard via FB... oh man, one of my Heros..

Shit
shit
shit

[Bluebull2007]

Man this is really shocking news.

Kemal was the definition of Camel hard man, I always saw him as indestructible. In every picture and video I have seen of him he has a smile on his face. I never met him, but followed him avidly for years. I'm going to miss him.

Poor Wouter, to go so young is equally shocking.

Condolences to both families and friends.

The incident just highlights how dangerous riding fast in the dust really is.

[wrk2surf]

not only was he a Malles Moto stud... he also was an avid long distance runner and MTBer

so sorry to hear this bad news..

[Evil Invader]

R.I.P.