N° 032 - TEAM OFF ROAD URUGUAY
- CARILLON
- Patrice
- FRA
- 16/06/1964
|
One shouldn’t count on Patrice Carillon to boast. This amateur could indeed do so looking at his results on the Dakar and his constant progression: 55th in 2003, 34th in 2005 after retiring from the 2004 edition, 29th in 2006 and 27th in 2007… “In 2007, it wasn’t that good, he however insists. I had an assistance for the first time and I could have done a lot better”. That is if he hadn’t witnessed mechanical and physical problems: a damaged bike and a broken foot after “hitting a tree”. Not a problem, Patrice Carillon has witnessed quite some upsets. “In 2004, I almost had to have three fingers from my right hand amputated after a crash”. Enough to calm him down? Not really… “Not at all. My hand was well repaired. In 2005 and 2006, it was tougher I could only use the accelerator with two fingers but now I no longer suffer”.
Patrice Carillon is first of all a competitor. But he is also a very enthusiastic individual, always positive, who deeply enjoys the unique atmosphere and uncommon solidarity that he witnesses every year on the race. “It’s very impressive. This mutual respect, the harmony between riders. You only find it here”. And indeed his racing friends are also those who give him the energy to “remain steady every day” and enjoy “these unbelievable moments” all the way to the finish line.
