La Sepanso requests the cancellation of a motorcycle race on the beaches of Hossegor
Amid roaring motorcycles, vibrant dunes, and the salty aroma of the ocean, the Ronde des Sables is an indispensable event for thrill-seeking enthusiasts. However, this legendary race on the beaches of Hossegor is causing controversy. With its 30th edition scheduled for November 2024, the event finds itself in the midst of a storm. An association for the protection of nature, La Sepanso, is raising its voice and demanding its cancellation, labeling it an “aberration.” Opposing them, the organizers and the French Motorcycling Federation are determined not to back down. Put on your helmet and join us in this showdown between motorsport lovers and environmental defenders.
The face-to-face meeting between La Sepanso and the Ronde des Sables
La Sepanso of the Landes does not beat around the bush. In a recent statement, the association warns about the damage that the Ronde des Sables inflicts on the environment. The dunes, already affected by marine erosion, suffer a significant blow during this race, according to them. For them, making the motorcycles roar in a fragile ecosystem is heresy that must be stopped immediately.
The 6.5 km route between the beaches of Soorts-Hossegor and Seignosse is at the heart of the problem. La Sepanso accuses the land preparation, with its construction machinery, of transforming these beaches into construction zones for two weeks. And when the 950 riders fire up their engines, it’s close to 5,000 hours of riding, equivalent to 70 round trips from Paris to New York, that darken the landscape. Figures that have put the organizers on high alert.
The other side: the organizers defend themselves
On the side of the organizers, they are not sitting idle in the face of criticism. The president of the Beach Moto Club, Cédric Boizieau, defends the race tooth and nail. For him, everything is done in compliance with regulations. The route avoids the most sensitive areas of the dunes, and the motorcycles are cared for to prevent any spills on the sand. As a final touch, a waterproof mat is placed in the supply areas to minimize damage as much as possible.
Regarding the figures presented by La Sepanso, the French Motorcycling Federation disputes them. According to them, the race accounts for only 4% of the total ecological footprint of the event. It’s not something to be overly concerned about, they claim.
Motorsport: between image and sustainability
Beyond ecological criticisms, the very image of motorsport is under scrutiny. Let’s face it, motorcycles often rhyme with pollution and noise. And in an era where every gram of CO2 is closely monitored, the critiques are constant. But the organizers know they must adapt. According to them, the Ronde des Sables is making efforts to stay within limits: optimized route, eco-responsible practices, everything is in progress.
For Cédric Boizieau, the challenge goes beyond this particular event. It’s about the future of motorcycle sports. If events like this start to be canceled, an entire culture could suffer a setback.
Environment and commitments: finding the right path
Obviously, the protection of the dunes and natural spaces cannot be ignored. The fragility of these areas deserves to be taken seriously. But is banning the Ronde des Sables the ultimate solution? It’s unclear. After all, the organizers claim they are already limiting the impacts. Perhaps another path is viable: reviewing the route, choosing less sensitive areas, or even reducing the carbon footprint by optimizing logistics. One thing is for sure, motorcyclists and ecologists must find common ground. Because in the end, it’s dialogue that can save the race… and the dunes.
