In January, hundreds of competitors traveled to Peru for the Dakar Rally, widely considered one of the toughest motorsport events in the world, given its length and treacherous off-road terrain. Since the race, which changes location each year, began in 1979, 19 motorcyclists have died; as a result, riders must now write their blood types on their helmets, in the event of a bad spill. This year, about 70 percent of the 3,100-mile rally took place on sand dunes, such as these about 40 miles outside the city of Pisco. It was here that Fabien Duhamel wanted to photograph the motorcyclists as they began the penultimate stage in a rare mass start. He got into a prime position before dawn, but knew he would still need a bit of luck. “Shooting in the desert is always a challenge,” he says. “There’s no road and an athlete may come near your position, then be completely hidden, just the top of a helmet dashing between two dunes.” While this year’s route was significantly shorter than in previous years—the 2018 edition covered nearly 5,900 miles—the sandy course made things difficult.
High on the Hog: The Best Motorcycle Trips to Explore the Open Road
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“Each kilometer in the sand pretty much equals three kilometers on hardpack,” says Toby Price, 31, an Australian rider for Red Bull KTM (seen here at the far left). “It’s hard to control the motorcycle in those conditions. You never know what’s going to be over the next dune or how compact or solid the sand is going to be.” Further complicating matters: A few weeks before the race, Price, the 2016 champ, broke his right wrist while in training. But he refused to sit and watch from home. “The Dakar Rally is an event you can’t miss,” he says. “I had to line up and try and make it work.”
Spring Gear 2019: The Complete Guide to Taking a Motorcycle Trip
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Throughout each stage, his wrist felt as though it were on fire, forcing him to operate the throttle with his opposite hand at times. But at the end of the 11-day ordeal, he still managed to claim the overall title. “It was an unreal feeling, especially under the circumstances,” he adds. “Racing the Dakar Rally is always difficult, but you can never count yourself out. Anything can happen.”
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In January, hundreds of competitors traveled to Peru for the Dakar Rally, widely considered one of the toughest motorsport events in the world, given its length and treacherous off-road terrain.
Since the race, which changes location each year, began in 1979, 19 motorcyclists have died; as a result, riders must now write their blood types on their helmets, in the event of a bad spill. This year, about 70 percent of the 3,100-mile rally took place on sand dunes, such as these about 40 miles outside the city of Pisco.
It was here that Fabien Duhamel wanted to photograph the motorcyclists as they began the penultimate stage in a rare mass start. He got into a prime position before dawn, but knew he would still need a bit of luck.
“Shooting in the desert is always a challenge,” he says. “There’s no road and an athlete may come near your position, then be completely hidden, just the top of a helmet dashing between two dunes.”
While this year’s route was significantly shorter than in previous years—the 2018 edition covered nearly 5,900 miles—the sandy course made things difficult.
High on the Hog: The Best Motorcycle Trips to Explore the Open Road
Read article
“Each kilometer in the sand pretty much equals three kilometers on hardpack,” says Toby Price, 31, an Australian rider for Red Bull KTM (seen here at the far left). “It’s hard to control the motorcycle in those conditions. You never know what’s going to be over the next dune or how compact or solid the sand is going to be.”
High on the Hog: The Best Motorcycle Trips to Explore the Open Road
Read article
High on the Hog: The Best Motorcycle Trips to Explore the Open Road
Further complicating matters: A few weeks before the race, Price, the 2016 champ, broke his right wrist while in training. But he refused to sit and watch from home. “The Dakar Rally is an event you can’t miss,” he says. “I had to line up and try and make it work.”
Spring Gear 2019: The Complete Guide to Taking a Motorcycle Trip
Read article
Throughout each stage, his wrist felt as though it were on fire, forcing him to operate the throttle with his opposite hand at times. But at the end of the 11-day ordeal, he still managed to claim the overall title.
Spring Gear 2019: The Complete Guide to Taking a Motorcycle Trip
Read article
Spring Gear 2019: The Complete Guide to Taking a Motorcycle Trip
“It was an unreal feeling, especially under the circumstances,” he adds. “Racing the Dakar Rally is always difficult, but you can never count yourself out. Anything can happen.”
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
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