Soon it will be time again! Astonished, we can soon again admire the daredevil motorcyclists conquering sand and stone at the Dakar Rally.
The Dakar Rally is one of the most famous and challenging off-road rallies in the world. It has been held annually since 1979 and takes participants through various countries in South America, Africa and the Middle East. The route is different every year and can be up to 10,000 kilometers long.
The idea
The idea for the Dakar Rally came from Frenchman Thierry Sabine. Sabine was an avid motorcyclist and had already participated in the Abidjan-Nice Rally. During this rally he got lost in the desert and was fascinated by the beauty and challenge of the terrain. Later, when he was riding his motorcycle through the desert one Christmas Eve and got lost again, he had the idea of organizing a rally through the desert that would offer participants the same experience.
The first Dakar Rally
The first Dakar Rally took place in 1979 and started in Paris. The destination was Dakar in Senegal, hence the name of the rally. A total of 182 participants took part in the rally at that time, including 80 motorcyclists. The route led over 10,000 kilometers through France, Algeria, Niger, Mali, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) and finally Senegal.
Motorcyclists have played an important role in the Dakar Rally from the very beginning. They were the ones who first drove through the desert and explored the terrain. The route was often very difficult and dangerous, with steep slopes, sand dunes and rocks. The motorcyclists had to make their way through the terrain without getting lost or falling. They were also the ones who provided first aid in case of breakdowns or accidents.
The Dakar Rally has changed and evolved over the years, but motorcyclists are still an important part of the event. They represent a special challenge and are the highlight of the rally for many participants. Motorcyclists must not only be physically fit, but also have strong orientation skills and a good technical understanding.
Overall, the Dakar Rally for Motorcyclists has produced many legendary riders over the past 40 years, including Cyril Neveu, Hubert Auriol, Stephane Peterhansel and Marc Coma. They have all mastered the challenges of the desert and have become legends of the rally. We will highlight some of them in our segment.