2014 ‘Dakar’

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Tue, Jan 14, 2014 (11:47 a.m.)

“The Dakar” is an annual off-road race that is made up of mostly amateur riders. Originally run in Europe and Africa, it is now held in South America. The adventure began in 1977, when Thierry Sabine got lost on his motorbike in the Libyan desert during the Abidjan-Nice Rally. Saved from the sands in extremis, he returned to France still in thrall to this landscape and promising himself that he would share his fascination with as many people as possible. He proceeded to come up with a route starting in Europe, continuing to Algiers and crossing Agadez before eventually finishing at Dakar. The founder coined a motto for his inspiration: “A challenge for those who go. A dream for those who stay behind.” Courtesy of his great conviction and that modicum of madness peculiar to all great ideas, the plan quickly became a reality. Since then, the Paris-Dakar, a unique event sparked by the spirit of adventure, open to all riders and carrying a message of friendship among all men, has never failed to challenge, surprise and excite. Over the course of nearly 30 years, it has generated innumerable sporting and human stories. (Dakar.com)