the essential
Seven years after his first participation in the legendary rally-raid race, the driver from Moissac (Tarn-et-Garonne) has just completed his first Dakar, Friday January 17, 2025. A dream come true. Interview.
Barely a few hours after finishing the edition of the most famous race in motorsport, Francis Balocchi took the time to pick up his phone to tell us about these two weeks of Dakar in the Arabian Peninsula. With the feeling of accomplishment for the 65-year-old driver from Moissaga, who finished in an honorable 50th place in the general classification. “A source of pride” for the one who failed during his first participation 7 years ago.
Also read:
“It was my son who pushed me to do it”: originally from Moissac, Francis Balocchi returns to the Paris-Dakar route in 2025, at the age of 64
How do you feel?
It was a very hard Dakar (it’s blowing) and very complicated with the dunes. We (with co-driver Anthony Pes) completed the stages correctly. In the second week, we moved up a lot of places because we got off to a bad start at the start due to some small engine problems. Otherwise, we are very happy to have made it to the end.
Is the objective then successful?
Yes ! It’s really successful! We fought a lot. In the second week, we rode very hard, taking around thirty places.
Was it physically hard?
It is indeed the toughest test in the world and this confirms it. We sleep very little. We manage to do 1,000 kilometers in a day in improbable machines. We had to sleep in the tent twice, getting up at 5 a.m. And it was very cold in the evening. A very difficult test but one that we love. It’s an exciting extreme challenge. Plus, I was sick, I had to take antibiotics because I developed bad bronchitis. It was a bit complicated, I arrived in the evening exhausted. But hey, we have to leave in the morning because we want to. It’s part of the race. It’s the pleasure of pushing yourself to the limit.
-What memories will you keep this Dakar?
It was one of the toughest Dakars in recent times according to the organizers. So above all we are happy to have finished it. And the memory is to bring back this “finisher” trophy. It’s a medal that’s worth its weight in gold in the rally-raid world. With documents that I will be able to show to my grandchildren (he laughs)!
Also read:
Dakar 2025: “It was my 8th participation, we knew how to manage when things hit the car” welcomes Toulouse resident Pierre Lachaume, surprise winner in 2-wheel drive
Do you have any special anecdotes to tell?
Oh yes! We rolled over on the fifth day and we thought the Dakar was over. It was a roll I would say. Not a very amusing anecdote because it wasted a lot of time. Then we left after an hour and a half. Many made tons and never left (example with the abandonment of Sébastien Loeb). We also lost a wheel due to our driving.
Are you going to participate in the Dakar again?
No, I don’t know yet today. For the moment, it is a unique experience in difficulty that has fascinated us. But this is well-deserved rest because we have to get back to life. Everything will return to normal.
Senegal
