David Knight is still hopeful of riding the 2021 edition of the Dakar Rally, but is fully aware that time and available finances are against him.

The 43rd edition of Dakar Rally is set to be held in Saudi Arabia for the second time over 14 days, between January 3 and 15.

Knighter put out the following Facebook post on Tuesday:

’Dakar Rally numbers are out, it’s been just over a year and a half in the making, sacrificing a lot, training a lot, getting really excited, getting really down.

’People making false promises telling me to crack on with the project, (I’ll sort it and pay what you need) then getting the rug pulled out from underneath me has made it very tough, and left myself and a couple of very good people in the sh*t.

’But we soldiered on best we could, making it to the Andalucia Rally to get qualified (which was a massive ask) with the help of a few very good people, we kept the dream alive.

’Now I’ve got to pretty much a dead-end. Definitely not the best time to find the big budget required to do the world’s toughest off-road race, but I guess I can’t do anymore.

’Maybe it was never meant to be, who knows? But if anyone is remotely interested, get in touch, we can still make it happen but not much time left. #dakar2021’

l Jamie McCanney is set to contest Dakar for the second time. He was the best British finisher last year and second rookie overall.

He has been brought into the official Yamaha team for the 2021 event.