Libya 1977. During the Abidjan-Nice rally, Thierry Sabine gets lost in the desert on his motorcycle. Eventually and under extreme conditions, he is rescued from the sand. Back in France, he is still “captivated” by the landscape that captured him at the risk of his life and promises himself that he would share this adventure with as many people as possible.

He proceeded to plot a route that would start in Europe, continue to Algiers and cross the Agadez, before ending in Dakar, Senegal. The founder of the Dakar Rally coined the following motto for his inspiration: “A challenge for those who go. A dream for those who stay behind”.

Thanks to his great desire and that little bit of madness that characterises all great ideas, the project quickly became a reality. Since then, Paris-Dakar, a unique event triggered by the spirit of adventure, open to all riders, conveying a message of friendship between all people, has never failed to challenge, surprise and excite. Over the course of almost 30 years, it has created countless sporting and human stories.

The inspirational and talented organiser, at the start of the Dakar Rally in 1978, managed to gather 182 participants – made up of 170 teams – who set off from Paris for a 10,000-kilometre journey. The route was set to cross 6 countries: France, Algeria, Niger, Mali, Upper Volta and Senegal. Thierry Sabine is still remembered to this day by all motor sport enthusiasts as he dedicated his life to organising one of the most historic Rallies. He died during the race in a helicopter crash in 1986.