CHERPIN Pierre FRA 26/01/1968 184 cm 76 kg

Vehicle

MODEL	MAKE
690 RALLY REPLICA	KTM

RANKING

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
Scratch	205	160	164	-	127	119	127	131	119	115	-	95	103	100
Stage	205	160	164	160	127	119	120	130	116	114	-	94	100	100	-	-
Overall	205	135	138	157	138	128	125	122	115	111	-	108	106	103	-	-

Pierre Cherpin: «Set off to be subjected to as much as possible»

For Pierre the Dakar is a story about men setting off on adventure with a single trunk as baggage. «Setting off to be subjected to as much as possible is when the adventure becomes extreme. That is the esprit of the Dakar», says Pierre Cherpin. And to take the experience to the next level, this rider from northern France will race without assistance.

Yet, this entrepreneur is more than just hardcore, he remains humble when speaking about the rally. He knows he isn’t «fit enough» to put in a strong run. He also recognizes that his «level of riding is too limited», to do anything too daredevil like in the dunes or on the rocky tracks of Argentina and Chile. «I must try to ride consistently. I have to take as much care of myself as the bike. I have to be disciplined, keep it all real and most importantly not ride like a maniac.» So, his goal will be to «arrive at the finish» .

A commendable ambition for a first go on the Dakar, especially when you realize Pierre Cherpin converted to enduro late in life. He has been an all-terrain rider for the past six years and sometimes he regrets not getting an earlier start. «I don’t have the same reflex reactions of those who started very young.» But he’s not that discouraged. «Three years ago, I didn’t think I had what it takes. Then in 2007 something clicked.» He paid a courtesy visit to his friend Julio Ano in the bivouac during the rest day. The atmosphere that reigned, the solidarity among the competitors and «the professionalism and the organization’s discipline», was enough to convince him to be at the start line of the next Dakar.

Dakar start photos on line: www.maindruphoto.com

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