Julien Dalbec: the Saône-et-Loirien heading to a crazy Dakar!
January 3, 2025, will mark the second participation of Julien Dalbec, a passionate motorcyclist from Buxy in Saône-et-Loire, in the famous rally adventure of Dakar. But this time, the goal is clear: cross the finish line and, in addition, create a film to share this extraordinary adventure. Among physical preparation, mechanical challenges, and personal hurdles, this challenge is not easy at all. Dive into the world of this determined motorcyclist who faces extreme conditions with his bike and his dream in mind.
A child’s dream come true
Julien Dalbec is somewhat the archetype of the passionate motorcyclist, the one who grew up dreaming in front of images of the Dakar on television. Since he was six years old, he would get up at night to follow the toughest race in the world. Today, at 35, he finds himself in the shoes of a participant, with the firm intention of climbing positions. Last year he finished in 38th place, and for this new edition, he hopes to not finish beyond 30th place.
“I have always wanted to participate in this rally, it’s a childhood dream,” he confesses. Although the route remains challenging, Julien takes it in stride. Although the conditions have changed since the time when Dakar was held in Africa, the physical and mental challenge remains the same. “It is still the toughest race in the world, you need a certain maturity to not do silly things,” he explains.
The bike, a €35,000 work tool
To participate in this rally, you need a solid machine, capable of enduring rough terrains and extreme temperatures. Julien rides a bike whose price is estimated between €30,000 and €35,000. It is not a small sum, but it is the necessary investment to hope to reach the end of the rally without many setbacks. His bike is in the rally 2 category, reserved for non-professional riders. This does not stop him from serious preparation to perform well in each stage, spending between 10 and 12 hours a day on his bike during the competition.
A challenge both physical and mental
The Dakar rally is not just about motorcycles. Julien has had to train hard to keep up the pace. His program includes running, road cycling, and even trail to work on his cardio. But that’s not all: he doesn’t forget about muscle strengthening, essential to maintain stability on his bike during long hours of riding.
And even so, even with iron preparation, nothing is guaranteed. The last weeks before the departure were marked by a carpal tunnel surgery, which forced Julien to rest, unable to ride. “I feel pretty good, I’m eager to be there,” he confides before flying to Saudi Arabia, the host country for Dakar 2025.
The Dakar film: the adventure seen from within
This year, Julien is not settling for just participating in the rally. He wants to share his experience by making a film. He has already filmed his participation in the Morocco rally and now wants to give another dimension to his adventure by documenting the Dakar. The project is ambitious: he wants to bring a media team to follow him on-site, capturing key moments, and above all, “to make people experience the Dakar from within.” Julien even dreams of premiering his film in cinemas, in Chalon-sur-Saône, before sharing it on social media.
The challenge is great, especially regarding the necessary budget to finance this cinematic adventure. “It’s the big challenge of this year,” he acknowledges. But Julien lacks no determination. “We will do the best we can, we are here to live a great moment.”
