Interview. Dakar 2025. This Jura resident is leaving for an 8th participation: he delivers on his ambitions

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The 2025 edition of the Dakar will take place from January 3 to 17. A few days before his departure, Benjamin Melotthe pilot from Lons-le-Saunier (Jura) confided his impressions, his competition objectives and his professional projects to Voix du Jura.

You are taking part in the Dakar for the eighth time, in which category?

I’m leaving in malle-moto and I will be able to be reclassified again. As a reminder, for two years, I was no longer classified in my category because of the regulations which meant that if we were in the Top 30 in the general classification, we were no longer classified in our category, without any real explanations. It was frustrating on a sporting level, because overall, it’s important, but by category, it’s also an objective.

So it gave the impression that I was doing the Dakar “for nothing”. This is why I launched a whole series of videos on YouTube in 2023 with a media team to bring the rally to life from the inside, especially since on TV, we no longer show anything. And everyone regrets it.

So through this, we do our coverage of the event. And this choice pays off because we have very good feedback. Since I have been racing in this category, I have done once second and once thirdwhile I aim for victoire. It’s like I was stopped from fighting for it.

What is important to you in this motorcycle trunk category?

It’s the fact that we are left to our own devices. You have to multitask. You have to know how to manage your motoin mechanicalin logisticsbut also having knowledge of yourself, of your machine… This does not mean that you have to be good in all areas, but that you have to be bad nowhere [rires].

Are you still leaving with a KTM for this 2025 edition?

Yes, but with the very last KTM rally which came out this year and which I was able to test at the Morocco rally where I really enjoyed it. I ranked 17^ewhich is my best performance in this competition I felt super comfortable on my bike, with the added bonus of visiting around ten partners at the start at Marrakech ; which allowed me to share the adventure with them.

What’s special about this machine?

What I like is the handling of this motorcyclethe ease and ease it brings to the fairly technical parts. It is less imposing than the older generation.

How is this trip organized?

I’m leaving Sunday December 29, 2024 from Geneva to Saudi Arabia, with Clément (the videographer), Nico who was the director last year and who becomes logistics chief this year because, Romainthe physical trainer who has been present for several years will be absent because he has just become a father. Antonin, will join us to take care of editing the episodes, in order to have daily monitoring every day on YouTube, where it is also possible to find the rally of Morocco. And it is with great pride that I will have number 39 again.

In the eighth edition, what makes you feel about starting the Dakar again?

Every year, we always find a goal, a motivation. There, this year, I am clearly aiming for a performance in the category for victory and I have prepared myself for it. Afterwards, I also want to bring all these moments to those who follow us and allow them to dream. I like to share. Not everyone is lucky enough to be in our place. I feel lucky to still be here despite the years that pass, just like my partners who are there even though times are not easy.

When you are not on rallies, what are your professional activities?

As the years go by, things evolve. My past as a lucky mechanic. For two years, I took care of setting up training at Gray high school for the CQP (Professional Qualification Certification) motorcycle mechanics and creating a partnership with KTM which made equipment available.

I handed over this project, to turn, for a year, towards specific rally training, and I organize training stays on rallies for future competitors. I also launched online training. We shot all of this this summer with Clément.

These training courses are aimed at those who are interested in rally raids, navigation, physical preparation, logistics, etc. This year has been very busy, but very interesting in this sharing of experience.

Where exactly do these trainings take place?

The first took place in Morvan; the land lends itself well. We were able to obtain authorization to organize a mini educational rally to learn the basics of rally raids: setting up the project, navigation, mechanics… for five days.

In 2025, I plan four to five in France and one in the Emirates in March for a more elaborate version for those aiming for a higher level. It’s very practical to organize all this in this country where everything is very well structured and organized.

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