Jamie McCanney was 15th overall and first Briton in his maiden attempt at the Dakar Rally when it came to a close in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

After a cautious start, the Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team rider improved as the fortnight wore on - grabbing two top-10 results in the closing stages.

’It’s been the longest, hardest 12 days of my life but an amazing experience,’ he said at the close.

’Thinking back to day one, my first ever start at a Dakar, how I was feeling, spending so much time riding in thick dust, to now being here at the finish of this incredible event is amazing.

’It’s all been a little surreal with so much to take in. I started the event lining up for those first stages among the hobby riders and today I started behind former winner Toby Price, it’s been incredible.

’Being so close to finishing as the highest rookie, I’m kicking myself a little thinking back over the first week. But that’s Dakar, most importantly I arrived safely at the finish, having learned so much.

’It’s been an amazing experience, and I have to say a huge thanks to all the Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team for their amazing support. I have a lot more to learn but I’m over the moon to be here at the finish of my first Dakar.

Team-mate, Franco Caimi of Argentina, was eighth overall at the completion of the 42nd running of the Dakar Rally (the first in Asia), with Frenchmen Adrien Van Beveren and Xavier de Soultrait forced to retire in the first week. The full distance was almost 8,000 kilometres.

McCanney started his maiden Dakar adventure simply hoping to learn as much as he could and to reach the finish. Securing two top-seven stage results was something the he had never dreamed of.

Riding a WR450F Yamaha Rally, he made a super-cautious approach to the first week of the event. A handful of mistakes did little to dampen his enthusiasm, reaching the mid-race rest day in 26th overall in the motorcycle class.

Week two saw a notable upturn in his confidence and performances. Despite the tragic loss of competitor Paulo Goncalves and the subsequent cancellation of stage eight, the 25-year-old Manxman maintained his focus as the event hit the dunes.

Stage nine saw Jamie finish in 20th, but it was during the event’s marathon stages that he excelled. Seventh on stage 10, the former World Enduro star then placed sixth on stage 11, highlighting his talents and drive to successfully complete his first Dakar.

Ensuring that he finished the 12th and final stage, he placed a steady 18th place on Friday to complete his first Dakar Rally in an impressive 15th overall and as the second-placed event rookie.

’Jamie has really delivered a great result,’ commented Yamaha Europe Off-Road Racing manager, Alexandre Kowalski at the finish.

’This has been an especially tough Dakar and although he made some mistakes during the first week he has learned, continued to improve and in earning two top-seven stage results has shown something very positive.’