Marc Bourgeois, Team Manager of the Ténéré Spirit Expérience, reflects on the experience of the three customers who took part in the 2024 Africa Eco Race. Belgian rider Nicolas Charlier competed in the Racing category. Canadian Mickaël Gros and Frenchman Patrick Morisseau took part in the Raid category.
How did the Africa Eco Race go for the Ténéré Spirit Experience team?
Marc Bourgeois: It was really a very special race as it was the first time we’d been back to Africa for 30 years, with the Ténéré Spirit Expérience, following the old routes of the Paris Dakar. It was truly magical!
We set off from Monaco and rode all the way to Dakar, a distance of around 6,000km, crossing four countries. We started in France in Monaco, then went to Sète. Then we took the boat to Nador and from there we did five stages in Morocco to the Mauritanian border. In Mauritania we did another five or six stages. And finally, in Senegal to the mythical Lac Rose, where the word “Dakar” and all its history were born. It should also be remembered that the “Ténéré” brand was also conceived during the early years of the Paris Dakar. It’s a powerful story that Ténéré Spirit customers have now experienced up close and personal.
The event went very well for those who took part in the Raid category. The organizers of the Africa Eco Race had designed a course for this category that was 100% parallel to the Racing category (which is timed, longer and more difficult) and accessible to less experienced riders. But still: the Africa Eco Race is amongst the longest and most demanding races on our calendar and in the world of Rally-Raid. In the Raid category, they rode between 130 and 160km off-road per day, and up to 200km for the longest! After that, it was a matter of getting back to the bivouac via the road shared with the assistance team.
How did the customers integrate with the team?
Marc Bourgeois: During the first few days in Monaco, we organized a team-building event, presenting the team, the Racing riders, the infrastructure and the different vehicles. We also introduced them to the typical structure for administrative and technical checks, and of course explained how the race would be run. We also looked at all the technical, practical and logistical aspects: means of communication, equipment, the race itself… This gives an overall idea of what’s in store for our customers, while identifying everyone’s role.
Once they started riding, they discovered the great outdoors. It was the first time for them to ride in the sand. The first time you ride in the desert is unforgettable and we were there to listen to their impressions.
Each day’s racing was followed by a debriefing and a presentation of the next stage, giving the customers an opportunity to improve their skills and make the most of the experience.
I think what we put in place to support them really allows them to get the most out of motorcycling. Especially with the new GYTR kit, which enhances performance and safety on this type of terrain. (See our article here on GYTR kits)
Even in the Raid category, the Africa Eco Race is still a very tough race, right?
Marc Bourgeois: It’s a real race, with lots of kilometers and technically difficult sandy sections. There was an opening car and a closing car to help the riders, especially in the hard sectors This is a real plus. Once again, the special preparation of our bikes enabled the Raid category riders to get through these difficulties, but it’s still tough.
We advise our customers on how to proceed in the next stage, based on their state of fitness and fatigue. Sometimes we even encourage them to skip a day, because the objective is to get to Dakar. It’s important to keep your wits about you in these events, and we’re here to help them finish the race, quite simply. We want to give our customers a chance to recover and take a breather, so that they can get back into better shape later on. To be successful, the Ténéré Spirit Experience must combine pleasure and safety throughout the ride.
What else is new this year?
Marc Bourgeois: The entire Ténéré Spirit Experience team, thanks to last year’s participants, has grown the project in many ways, with specific details in the various departments, in administration, management, logistics and field support. We still learned a lot from this edition of the Africa Eco Race. All the feedback we receive from our customers and riders helps us to improve even further, and to be even better for our future customers.
