For as long as he can remember, Damien Bataller has always lived his January months to the rhythm of the Dakar. “I come from a family of bikers who never missed an edition. We were even allowed to stay up late during the week because we watched reruns! » It is now him that viewers will watch. This Friday, the Rennais will place his KTM n°125 on the starting line in Bisha, with the aim of taking it to Shubaytah, in the heart of the Saudi desert, on January 17. “A childhood dream” for this 34-year-old hydraulic technician.
The challenge of a lifetime
As a child, Damien saw his father put motorcycling on hold to raise his children. This sacrifice instills in him a sense of responsibility. He started at the age of 12 and then went from challenge to challenge, until being picked up by the magic of the desert at the 2019 Morocco Rally. He finished third in the Enduro Cup Afriquia, an amateur category. His performance calls out to Xavier de Soultrait, one of the best French drivers. “He comes to see me and we talk about the Dakar. I explain that it’s a dream, but impossible. He tells me that with willpower I can achieve it. » Five years of preparation later, the Breton is one of the 136 bikers selected for the 2025 edition.
Hands in the engine
Damien has always maintained his machines. This will be the case at the Dakar, where he will be a “motorcycle trunk”: he will race without assistance, taking care of his mechanics. Some call it “the real Dakar”. Only the most resourceful, and the strongest mentally, succeed in the category. Grit your teeth, Damien knows. He trains himself to push his physical and psychological limits by practicing ultra-trail running. “There are parallels with motorcycling,” he observes. “The basis of ultra is nutrition, hydration and sleep. If you sin on one of the three, you drink! »
A collective adventure
In May, the Rennais completed the Euskal Trail and its 133 kilometers. Crossing the finish line will also be his objective in the Dakar. No question of thinking about the ranking. “I’m competitive and I’ve had two big scares recently. It wasn’t calculated, I was in danger. I have to put the competition aside, because the rally raid is a multitude of obstacles to avoid. On 2,000 terminals, a 15 cm stone can knock you out! »
-On the bike, Damien will be alone. But in Brittany, there will be many who support him. “My partner helps me and follows me on all the races, my children accept that I spend a lot of time training. I have to do it for them because it’s a lot of sacrifices,” he says. “An entourage was formed to help me, mentally and financially. It’s really beautiful. Without them, it would be impossible to get there. They’re the ones who believe in you and tell you it’s possible. » And to them he intends to bring back the finisher’s medal, at the end of a journey of two weeks and approximately 8
Senegal
