BIKEOFF ROADLE TOUQUET ENDUROPALE

Get down and dirty - le Touquet Enduropale


Get down and dirty - Le Touquet Enduropale  

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Information
Le Touquet Enduropale
Le Touquet Enduropale is, quite simply, one of the greatest spectacles in motorcycling. Run across the beaches of Touquet, Stella and Merlimont coastlines in northern France, around 1000 bikes and 800 quads take to the sandy shores for a race of epic mental and physical proportions. 250,000 devoted fans line the 17km long course as man and machine tear away from the start as one, the clacking soundtrack erupting amid a blur of sand, sweat, hopes and fears. The brainchild of local press agent Thierry Sabine after witnessing first-hand the great mass enduros of America, a modest 286 riders took the start of the inaugural event in 1975. Three decades and five times as many riders later, it’s more comparable to a motorised marathon than a bike race as each rider jostles and weaves seeking a personal space amid the dunes to call their own.
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Spec. Sheet

Quads:
>Class 1 – up to 250cc
>Class 2 – 251cc up to 1000cc
Bikes:
>Class 1 – up to 125cc 2 Stroke / up to 250cc 4 Stroke
>Class 2 – above 125cc 2 stroke / 250cc+ 4 Stroke
>Class 3 – above 250cc 2 Stroke / 450cc+ 4 Stroke
 
Each race lasts just over three hours.

The rider who reaches the first corner of the opening lap first wins the “Holeshot” award. This prestigious prize sees competitors go all out from the start with bikes often hitting speeds of 100mph racing and jumping at close quarters on the run down to the first turn.

There are three classes of rider taking part: International (those with a full FIM race license), National (a French motorsport license holder), and Amateur (someone who fancies a challenge).

Frenchman Arnoud Demeester holds the Bike record for number of victories having triumphed seven times since 1995. Indeed, 2009 will see him bid to make it a hat-trick of wins in as many years.

Quad rider Paul Winrow is the only British competitor to have won either category in the event’s 34 year history after triumphing along with team mate Pascal Rochereau on board a Yamaha in 2001.
 

Published 20/02/2009 16:06

Latest News Le Touquet Enduropale

Le Touquet: Duedon penalty hands Pichon win - 08/02 - 11:42


A noisy exhaust denied Yves Duedon a first ever Le Touquet Enduropale win as the famous race ended in controversy at the weekend.

Le Touquet: Enduropale to honour Potisek - 05/02 - 14:43


This weekend’s Le Touquet Enduropale will pay tribute to 2009 winner Timotei Potisek, who died last year.

Touquet: Potisek joins Yamaha as Demeester bows out - 16/10 - 13:39


Timotei Potisek will replace the legendary Arnaud Demeester at Yamaha next season following the Frenchman’s retirement from the sport.

Le Touquet: Potisek wins as Demeester quits - 23/02 - 11:09

Frenchman Timoteï Potisek (Honda) took his second Le Touquet Enduropale victory on Sunday.
 

Le Touquet Enduropale: Live and Exclusive this weekend! - 20/02 - 17:38


Off-road motorcycle junkies are in for a real treat this weekend as Motors TV brings you the entire three-and-a-half-hour beach marathon that is Le Touquet Enduropale, LIVE.

[Le Touquet Enduropale news]

Videos Le Touquet Enduropale

Enduropale Touquet Pichon falls 2010
Enduropale Touquet Pichon falls 2010
Enduropale Touquet Moussé retires 2010
Enduropale Touquet Moussé retires 2010
Enduropale Touquet Pichon wins 2010
Enduropale Touquet Pichon wins 2010
Start of the 2010 Enduropale Touquet
Start of the 2010 Enduropale Touquet

Le Touquet Enduropale videos

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