Despres: “A revenge on myself”
Cyril Despres has never been used to easiness. Before conquering his first title on the Dakar, he indeed went through all the different phases that a rising champion has to witness. Registered as a simple privateer wanting to convert his experience as a trial rider to deserts and African tracks, Cyril progressively showed the top teams what he was able to do during his first appearances in the rally. Once seated on winning machines as an assistance rider for Roma or for his own sake, he climbed on all steps of the podium before triumphing in the 2005 Dakar.
Used to having ‘’bad days’’ or big navigational upsets that can ruin the benefits of a rally previously mastered, Despres lived in 2006 an even bigger frustration in the hierarchy of Dakar problems. Immediately after the start of his battle with Marc Coma the Frenchman suffered a big crash and lost all hopes of victory during the stage heading to Zouerat. Diminished by a dislocated right shoulder, he allowed the Spaniard to build up a decent gap. His injury that was then followed by tendonitis never left him in peace even after his second spot in Dakar: “I didn’t know how long it would last but eventually after two months I was able to get back on my bike. The year however really hasn’t been easy for me. Indeed a few months later in Italy I broke my radius bone and the bad luck started all over again. It’s the first time in my career that I witness falls and injuries. All that leaves a bad taste of unfinished business in my mouth. I have a revenge to take on myself”, explains Despres.
In his quest for a personal balance he will this year be looking for a victory over himself, maybe be even more than a success in his battle with Marc Coma, who remains unbeaten in all their confrontations this season. But Despres will certainly not settle for second position: “I don’t want that anymore, I already have second spots in my collection. Concerning Marc, I know that he has improved and that he has a lot of self-confidence. I’m slowly rising to a very good level of form. I have just a few competitions behind me but I don’t think that I’ll need a lot of riding to be confident on the bike. Anyhow I certainly won’t give up…’’