Audrey Rossat raced and completed her first ever Dakar Rally finishing Overall in 59th position, an incredible achievement for Team RS Concept rider. From 12 months of planning, chasing changing budgets, following military style training along with making final preparations amid COVID disruptions, Audrey set sights on achieving long-held goal: to race and finish The Dakar.
In fact, even to make it through Prologue was a test Audrey was super pleased about. #100: Prologue. Lots of stress! So much trembling I couldn’t put down the poor tape! Top start!! I start well but when I read the road book while driving I feel I can’t ride fast on some passages and read the course and interpret. I preferred to be careful. Don’t lose yourself, don’t fall but always roll… I believe that will be my motto’.
For certain, Audrey embraced each Stage in real-terms- using road-book in conjunction with maintaining speed, finding wayward markers which seemed elusive at times, tackling dunes to stay up-right, fighting tiredness after such long time on bike and all the while remaining super positive to keep pushing ahead.
Audrey: ‘It was the first time in my life that I had completed such a long race. Before the Dakar I had only finished Rally du Maroc Enduro Cup in 2019. In 2 Stages of the Dakar I had finished Morocco! I lived from day to day because when you look at a race as a whole 12 Stages covering 7,8ookms, it’s still a bit scary!
Having already achieved victories as French Enduro Champion in 2009 and 2010 along with European Champion in 2014, Audrey knew racing RC Concept Team’s KTM 450cc on terrain which stretched for hundreds of kms was going to challenge her firm resolve having spent many racing hours on her Husqvarna 250 2-stroke.
Audrey: ‘My main goal was to arrive every day before dark in order to benefit from the best recovery. I am fully satisfied that the latest I got back to the bivouac was 9.15pm. These were big days but I felt ready to attack the next one. I had no mechanical problems. I didn’t even have to use any tools! As the Stages progressed my navigation improved’.
With great support from family, crew and training coach, Audrey made steady up-hill climb in Bike category rankings as follows: Stage 1 through to 12 standings per Stage were- 92nd, 88th, 85th, 83rd, 76th, 73rd, 69th, 67th, 61st, 61st, 60th and Final result 59th Overall in Bike General Classification as Rookie.
Yet, even though Audrey was meeting goals each Stage, the tenacious French National police-woman harbored plenty of sore areas from racing such long distances on bike. Audrey reporting after Day 5 and 6: ‘This race is really intense and demanding’.
‘Day 5 fell on a fast track at nightfall and verdict this morning fracture of a rib! Thanks again to the medical team for the strap to change Monday night. The stabbing in the ribs every jump in yesterday’s dunes Day 6 was a torment, but I also have my wrists that make me suffer (tingling and tetanies) and in between I can’t say what makes me the most painful. Tomorrow marathon stage with bivouac in the middle of the desert and no mechanical assistance. I’m not giving up and I thank you all again for your unfailing support!’
Such strength of character makes ones eyes water. Rather than dial back speed to save shot of pain, Audrey actually increased pace clocking her record of- ‘I set pace and I have my first speed record! 138 kms per hour!’ Remaining on target with mighty desire to finish, and claim that oh-so-celebrated victory with Dakar medal to wear, Audrey sustained self imposed pressure and expectation to finish each Stage.
‘As the Stages progressed I gained more confidence in the fast sections where you have to keep accelerating for a long time, which I am not used to. Also, I think I was consistent which is why I gradually climbed up the rankings‘.
Super congratulations to Audrey for an amazing first Dakar Rally completing all 12 Stages and standing Overall in 59th place. A victory well worth celebrating with all family, friends, crew and Team which supported Audrey along the way. Special words by Audrey:
‘The Dakar is truly an extraordinary race because even if we often ride alone, whether at the start, during Specials, at the finish there is real enthusiasm amongst the volunteers and mutual help by the pilots. As we exceeded the Top 40 positions, there is no more competition between the drivers just the happiness of being at the finish of each Stage. I had never known that before’.
Special thanks to Audrey for compiling her thoughts for this article. Header photo Audrey Rossat Photo Credit: ASO.
Words: Sharon Cox.
Comments are closed.