“First Lebanese to finish the Dakar on a bike”
En bref
- Eid is an accomplished athlete. He has practiced martial arts, triathlon, mountain biking, and even windsurfing, an activity that brings him peace and inspiration. But it is certainly on a motorcycle that he is most gifted, having collected Lebanese motocross and enduro championship titles during the 2010s.
- The first time he rode a bike goes back to the age of 10. At that time, the young Lebanese boy was passionate but could not continue due to lack of financial means. He entered university and worked tirelessly with the goal of one day being able to afford the motorcycling life he dreamed of, which he managed to do starting at age 30. He then began entering competitions.
- After the Covid-19 crisis, he focused on enduro and Bajas. The dream of the Dakar returned quickly to his mind. Determined, the Lebanese rider did nothing halfway: navigation school with Pedro Bianchi, mechanical training with Benjamin Melot… Eid left nothing to chance. He also multiplied training sessions with his friend Mohammed Balooshi. He started seriously competing in the FIM Baja World Cup series.
- A rookie in the 2025 Dakar, Eid finally lived his dream and managed to reach the finish in 68th position.
- The experienced 52-year-old businessman who used to be the CEO of Delifrance for the Middle-East and now partly manages the MX Academy in Dubai enjoyed another fine season in the FIM Baja World Cup only just missing out on a title conquered by his friend and colleague Mohammad Al Balooshi.
Ambition
E.R.: “I have worked hard all my life to be able to practice motorcycling. I’ve done motocross and enduro, and the Dakar was one of my childhood dreams. In 2023, I told myself that I was still fit, and I had only one question left: ‘what do I need to do to go to the Dakar?’ I started working on my riding technique and navigation. I also tried to understand how everything works in terms of mechanics, nutrition, and all the details you need to know about rally-raid. I earned my qualification thanks to my good results in the Bajas and my participation in the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal.
The Dakar was so tough. It really is the toughest rally on earth. I was riding an average of ten hours a day, plus I had a big accident but I managed to overcome it and finish the rally. I became the first Lebanese to finish the Dakar on a bike. I was also proud to have emerged as the top Middle Eastern rider in my first participation in this legendary and demanding event.”
