MEDIA RELEASE
DAKAR RALLY, A TASTE OF HISTORY...
Bamako / Mali - 22 January 2006
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR DAKAR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
| BvW GLOBAL | REDWAHOO | ONE HELMETS | AVYTAR | SOFTSEAT | OICS | EATMYDIRT.COM.AU | POWERPAINT | SBS |
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS
I Chris H. (AUS) | Ling T. (AUS) | Lindsey J. (USA) | Katia B. (Martinique) |
Hi Everyone,
20 years ago I was entering my first ever motocross race in Bouake, Ivory Coast (West Africa). I remember this race like it was yesterday, every moment of it. I had trained so hard for it, I was so focussed, so determined, I was only 15. At the time I only had one pair of motocross pants, to keep them intact I was using an old pair of jeans during training. Before the race we had qualifiers, racing around the track as fast as we possibly could for a good spot on the starting grid. 30 metres before the end of the first lap my engine seized. It was then a frantic moment to repair it in time for the race 3 hours later. I even had to ride the bike across town and made it just in time for the start. The three motos that followed took all my energy, I wasn't racing anyone, just myself when in the third race I had another problem with the gear box. I battled to keep going to the finish line with only one gear.
20 years later I am entering my first ever rally, the Dakar Rally. Now I remember this vividly as it was only a couple of weeks ago. In the same way, I trained very hard for this race, I was focussed and determined as always, now 35. My bike stopped after 24 kms and again it was a frantic moment trying to find the problem and I made it with only 6 seconds spare of my allowed time or I would have beed disqualified, it was only a liasion and again I had to ride through town and made made it just in time. The three days that followed was another race uphill making up for the first day. Again I wasn't racing anyone, just myself when in the third day I crashed twice, first dislocating my shoulder, cracking my nose, hurting my knee and my kidney. Then a second crash 100 kms later that broke three of my ribs. Again I battled the pain, the thoughts, the tears and made it to the finish line 220 kms later.
In those two instances I tasted something that instilled more determination than ever. It sure is disappointing to spend so much energy and not have the results on your first attempt, but you have to get up and try again and again... and again. Each time you try is a step toward your dreams.
It has been 20 days since I broke my ribs and I have already started doing some exercises. On 7 March I will be racing the first round of the Cross-Country World Championship in Argentina over 9 days and 4,750 kms. I got knocked in Round 1 but already Round #2 is around the corner... and I can’t wait. If history is anything to go by, then I can tell you I am definitely not worried because I know what's coming!
Special thanks go to the people that supported me 20 years ago and that are still behind me today, and for those that supported me during the Dakar including my sponsors BvW Global, OneHelmets (fantastic helmets by the way, I can assure you they protected me), Avytar, Oil Industry Catering & Services, RedWahoo, eatmydirt.com.au, and Powerpaint. And of course SBS Australia where you listen to my daily updates during the Rally on Toyota World Sports.
I will be updating my website (www.cbvglobal.com) in the next few days with pics and videos... and of course a special thought goes in the memory of Andy Caldecott.
A bientot!
Christophe |
