Jesús Calleja

Jesús Calleja, the well-known Spanish adventurer and TV personality, is preparing to take on the Dakar Rally for the sixth time. Despite having recently experienced the life-changing adventure of space travel—a dream he pursued relentlessly until it became a reality. Calleja remains drawn to the intensity and demands

of the Dakar.

He describes the race as something that initially seemed less significant compared to his other feats like reaching the North Pole or climbing Everest, but which ultimately humbled him with its physical and mental toll. That surprise sparked a sort of addiction to the rally's unique challenge.

Now 60, Calleja feels physically as strong as ever, maintaining a rigorous training

routine that includes mountain biking and trail running every day of the week. He

sees age as just a number and credits his fitness, diet, and outlook for his continued ability to take on high-level adventures. Inspired by figures like Carlos Sainz, who races at 63, Calleja feels motivated to keep pushing boundaries.

Although his professional commitments limit his preparation time, Calleja trusts his years of experience and a natural talent for machinery. He jokes that while he’s

terrible with a football, he’s instinctively good with engines - something that’s helped him master vehicles like helicopters and rally cars.

Calleja’s return to Dakar isn’t just about competition - it’s also about reconnecting

with friends like Cristina Gutiérrez, Laia Sanz, Nasser Al-Attiyah, and Carlos Sainz.

The camaraderie and human experience are central to what makes Dakar meaningful for him. He’s especially proud to support women excelling in the sport

and is excited to participate in a more sustainable future of racing with synthetic

fuels. This weekend, Calleja will compete in the Baja Aragon, Spain with a Century

Racing CR7, a highly reliable and powerful rally car, giving him confidence in his

performance.Jesús Calleja continues to pursue bold adventures with passion and purpose, driven by experience, and resilience. With a clear mindset and a powerful CR7 underneath him, he's ready to take on whatever these next few days hold.

Interviewed by: Javier Rubio

23/07/2025 – 14:20