2009 Dakar on SBS with Christophe Barriere-Varju

SBS has done it again! This time we are able to put on what we had planned to do last year, that is to give viewers with a behind the scene actions. Stay tuned on the SBS Website, you are going to see, read and hear things that will give you goose bumps.

Less than 19 days...

Less than 19 days to go before the 9,500 kms "exploration." I am getting anxious for the race to get started, explore new horizons and new personal capabilities. I think I should be ok with my current VO2 racing at 3,000 to 4,000 metres, and I hope we keep the temperature down in Chile. Mr. Weather, if you hear me, turn the heater off. Below is a recent text from the official dakar website as well as the logo of my recently launched new team: Team Rally Australia

Christophe Barrière-Varju : «I reset my shoulder by myself»
Christophe Barrière-Varju didn’t take part in the 2005 Dakar, but did get an idea of what awaited him when visiting the evening bivouacs. “In preparing for my first Dakar (in 2006), I wanted to see how everything works. So I went to speak to other riders and watch them up close: how they sleep, how they drink, how they read the road book…” This clever form of preparation paid immediate dividends to this citizen of the world (born in Marseille, raised in Abidjan, Australian citizenship after ten years in the United States). After dropping out in 2006, the Franco-Australian fulfilled a dream, finishing in 64th place. Following this success, the former Ivory Coast and Arizona motocross champion drew a conclusion. “During the race, you have to be sure not to think about anything else; it is the only way to go forward”.
The South American edition of the Dakar has everything to please him. “It will remind everyone that the Dakar is the hardest rally of them all”, he predicts. Bu the challenge suits him to a tee. Christophe Barrière-Varju is an avid rough and ready customer when it comes to extreme situations, ready to sacrifice everything to attain his goal. “During the 2006 Dakar, I rode 200 kilometres with three broken ribs, after having reset my dislocated shoulder earlier. In that same year, on the Brazilian round of the world championship, I continued in the race for 96 hours without eating or drinking, after throwing up with food poisoning. I lost eight kilograms in four days but I finished!”

40 Something Days...

In 40 something days it will be history in the making. The first time the Dakar caravan explore South America. There are only 40 something days left to get ready and 40 something days to stay away from injury and sickness. In 40 something days, one of the hardest Dakar in history will take place. For us the Dakar has already started. Many months of preparation, many hours of training, all for one goal. Explore our inner limits and get to the edge of human capabilities.

DATE START FINISH CONNECTION SPECIAL CONNECTION TOTAL

03/01/09 Buenos Aires - Sta Rosa de la Pampa 196 km 371 km 166 km 733 km
04/01/09 Sta Rosa de la Pampa - Puerto Madryn 0 km 237 km 600 km 837 km
05/01/09 Puerto Madryn - Jacobacci 70 km 616 km 8 km 694 km
06/01/09 Jacobacci - Neuquen 4 km 459 km 25 km 488 km
07/01/09 Neuquen - San Rafaël 173 km 506 km 84 km 763 km
08/01/09 San Rafaël - Mendoza 76 km 395 km 154 km 625 km
09/01/09 Mendoza - Valparaiso 80 km 419 km 317 km 816 km
10/01/09 Rest day

11/01/09 Valparaiso - La Serena 245 km 294 km 113 km 652 km
12/01/09 La Serena - Copiapo 88 km 449 km 0 km 537 km
13/01/08 Copiapo - Copiapo 20 km 666 km 0 km 686 km
14/01/08 Copiapo - Fiambala 20 km 215 km 445 km 680 km
15/01/08 Fiambala - La Rioja 4 km 253 km 261 km 518 km
16/01/08 La Rioja - Cordoba 161 km 545 km 47 km 753 km
17/01/08 Cordoba - Buenos Aires 224 km 227 km 341 km 792 km
18/01/08 Buenos Aires - Buenos Aires 0 km 0 km 0 km 0 km
TOTAL 9,574 km

Stage 1 - Saturday, January 3 Buenos Aires > Santa Rosa
Connection: 196 km Special: 371 km Connection: 166 km Total: 733 km
Many have heard of La Pampa, where men are reputed to be “rough, but always courteous”. This first stage will provide the opportunity to discover the length of these vast plains. Dakar competitors have never faced such a long special. With over 400 km of rolling routes, perhaps the fastest on the program, this will constitute a real warm-up. It will be the occasion for everyone to affront a long day that will get rid of all problems in adapting to jet lag.

Stage 2 - Sunday, January 4 Santa Rosa > Puerto Madryn
Connection: 0 km Special: 237 km Connection: 600 km Total: 837 km
The longest stage of the rally will not necessarily be the most difficult. However, it should still be approached with vigilance and, above all, will a complete set of rally equipment. After a rapid first part of the special, a foretaste of sand will be proposed. On the off-roads of this stage, copilots will need to pay careful attention to their course. The more distracted will begin to “turn in circles”.

Stage 3 - Monday, January 5 Puerto Madryn > Jacobacci
Connection: 70 km Special: 616 km Connection: 8 km Total: 694 km
For the third day of the race, the special program is a tough one, ranging over 600 km. It will be a sign that the competitors have reached the heart of the matter, even though big problems are still to come. The entry into Patagonia, which will be accompanied by a significant change in terrain, will need new piloting abilities. The landscape is much hillier, and those who prefer long curves will find what they’re looking for. Here, orientation is done using the lakes that border the route, around ten throughout the day, and numerous pink flamingoes will be the preferred guides for this stage.

Stage 4 - Tuesday, January 6 Jacobacci > Neuquen
Connection: 4 km Special: 459 km Connection: 25 km Total: 488 km
At the start of this stage, the rocky passageways will make heavy demands on the arms of motorcyclists, while those who are accustomed to “wadis” will be obliged to negotiate the Argentinian “rios” with the same careful attention. Next, the first sandy portions and the long kilometers of off-road will thrill those who love driving them. Careful now! Mistakes can begin to be costly: the stage toward Neuquen has all the ingredients of a trap. By taking on more or less of a lead, the favorites can begin to show themselves and provide indications of a ranking that just might last.

Stage 5 - Wednesday, January 7 Neuquen > San Rafael
Connection: 173 km Special: 506 km Connection: 84 km Total: 763 km
The major test of the first week of the race will perhaps be fought on the road to San Rafael. The long distance will oblige teams to remain concentrated at all times. The pilots will also be confronted with real dune passageways, including a range nearly twenty kilometers long. Long off-road stretches will alternate with much more technical sections in the track following the “rios”. The Cordillera can be seen on the horizon, but taking time to sightsee is out of the question: a too-late arrival at the bivouac always leaves a mark.

Stage 6 - Thursday, January 8 San Rafael > Mendoza
Connection: 76 km Special: 395 km Connection: 154 km Total: 625 km
The day’s program is once again full of crossings, since the special begins with around sixty kilometers of dunes. The trail becomes easier in the second part, but competitors might well be slowed down by a wide ford that must be crossed with exceeding skill to avoid an extended bath. On arrival at Mendoza, the rally will penetrate the foothills of the Andes mountain range.

Stage 7 - Friday, January 9 Mendoza (ARG) > Valparaiso (CHL)
Connection: 80 km Special: 419 km Connection: 317 km Total: 816 km
The variety of terrains and landscapes, a constant given for the Dakar 2009, is evident once again on this stage, where, in addition to a change of country, most of the competitors will get to know the Cordillera of the Andes. Before measuring themselves with the mountains, they must cross over a series of dunes and endure a session of fesh fesh, which is identical to Saharan sand, but which the inhabitants of the region call “guadal”. Concerning the mountains, this will be the only special to include passageways at 3,000 meters on technical routes that will sometimes allow a glimpse of the Aconcagua, the highest point in the Andes (6,959 m). Then, competitors will cross the border on the link section to reach the sea at Valparaiso.

Stage 8 - Sunday, January 11 Valparaiso > La Serena
Connection: 245 km Special: 294 km Connection: 113 km Total: 652 km
After a day of rest on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, an easier restart has been programmed. On mid-range mountain roads, driving hotshots should be able to really strut their stuff. The experts in car positioning, trajectory and sudden braking will show how it’s done. But for the rally leaders, there is certainly more to be lost than won during this stage.

Stage 9 - Monday, January 12 La Serena > Copiapo
Connection: 88 km Special: 449 km Connection: 0 km Total: 537 km
We are at the first step of a decisive trilogy. The reputation of the Atacama Desert, known as the world’s driest, will be tested by the competitors. Those who hope to find dunes will be rewarded. But they will also be fed a generous helping of rocks. This stage is typical of the Dakar 2009, with numerous changes of terrain. The positioning of difficulties, with long stretches of dunes at the end, will require pilots to conserve their strength. They must show themselves to be both multi-talented and with a firm sense of how to manage their efforts.

Stage 10 - Tuesday, January 13 Copiapo > Copiapo
Connection: 20 km Special: 666 km Connection: 0 km Total: 686 km
The day’s special is simply the longest and most difficult of the rally. As on the previous day, the competitors will face a series of dunes at the end of the day that stretch over a hundred kilometers. And in this area, even the leading specialists will be faced with something new. The Chilean dunes are veritable mountains of sand, and pilots must learn to climb and descend their sides over more than one kilometer. Another unknown: due to the extreme heat of the region, no one knows exactly how the sand will behave. In any case, remaining clear-headed will be imperative all the way to the end.

Stage 11 - Wednesday, January 14 Copiapo > Fiambala
Connection: 20 km Special: 215 km Connection: 445 km Total: 680 km
On this most majestic stage of the rally, the talents of copilots will be at the strategic center. In the morning, vehicles will leave the Pacific Ocean behind and head toward the border. In the meantime, it will be necessary to constantly choose which valley to take. The return to Argentina will be through the enchanting surroundings of the Paso San Francisco, at an altitude of nearly 4,700 meters. To close this long “day of colors”, the link will lead competitors to a sandy landscape that resembles Mauritania. And if fate lends a hand, the rally could even experience a “Bolivian winter” there, a rare phenomenon that sometimes provokes snowfalls in the middle of summer!

Stage 12 - Thursday, January 15 Fiambala > La Rioja
Connection: 4 km Special: 253 km Connection: 261 km Total: 518 km
As concerns crossings, the day’s special is a concentrate of technique. Various types of dunes will be encountered, including the very formidable “white dunes”. Just three days from arrival, this stage can scramble rankings, especially because the assistance vehicles will not have access to the Fiambala bivouac. The Golden Rule is still: “know how to economize your machine”.

Stage 13 - Friday, January 16 La Rioja > Cordoba
Connection: 161 km Special: 545 km Connection: 47 km Total: 753 km
After having swallowed thousands of kilometers, participants will face a first-class physical challenge in this next-to-the-last stage. State-of-the-art pilots must maintain their position, while amateurs must avoid an excess of confidence. Errors can leave bitter memories, since this will be the day of cacti. At the bivouac, doctors will no doubt be called on to wield the tweezers. Finally, for the experts of traditional rallies, certain routes are part of the patrimony of the World Cup that takes place every year in Cordoba. Here, aficionados will guarantee a large popular fiesta.

Stage 14 - Saturday, January 17 Cordoba > Buenos Aires
Connection: 224 km Special: 227 km Connection: 341 km Total: 792 km
The adventure began on La Pampa. After having explored two veritable nation-continents, the competitors will find a more familiar type of landscape. On long, rolling routes, concentration remains necessary. Those who arrive with a ranking in Buenos Aires will have achieved the most impressive loop ever undertaken in rally-raid. And they will remain forever first.

Getting ready for Dakar with a 24 Hour MTB Race

Anticipating tough things to come in the 2009 Dakar, Christophe Barriere-Varju and ZacSpeed (the Australian Quality manufacturer of Action sport protector packs and motorcycle clothing) have been testing new products in once again extreme conditions, this time in a 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race.

Supported by ZacSpeed, Christophe competed in the Solo category from 12 noon Saturday to 12 noon Sunday. "Someone mentioned this race to me, and although I am not the fastest person on a mountain bike, the challenge is what interested me. When I knew that I could compete Solo, I signed up for it... and worried about it later!"

Contacting his usual Dakar sponsors about this event, ZacSpeed was keen to support Christophe in this challenge. "It is important to test products in difficult situations" says ZacSpeed boss, Shaun MacKenzie. "The heat in this year's Dakar is going to be extremely difficult for us, so we (Zac Speed) are trialing new products now that will help regulate body temperature. We have made modifications to the Exotec SP3 to that effect and it worked great in the heat of last week-end 24 Hour race."

"The Exotec SP3 feels inexistent once on you, it is so well balanced and ergonomically designed that you forget about it. Plus you can quickly convert it in a Mountain Bike unit. It is great to communicate with people that have the right spirit and want to go to the next level" says Christophe.

ZacSpeed will once again back up CBV Racing in this year Dakar Rally.

For additional information on Zac Speed: www.zacspeed.com
To follow Christophe preparation for the 2009 Dakar: www.freedomracer.com
To support Christophe's charity work: www.dreamsdocometrue.org.au

What have I done noooooooow....!!!?

On the 11/12th of October I will be trying my luck at a 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race down in Canberra, I will be 1 of 4000 riders. I did try to
convince a few of you to split the task with me but.... you ALL LET ME DOWN!!! ...or perhaps you are still "thinking about it"... ah ah ah LOL.

No worries, I will be doing it SOLO then...!

Team Name (you guessed it): 2009 Dakar Rally

But please HELP! Anyone with great bicycle experience please let me know now :-) I am in dire need of finding out how to protect my "booty"
for a straight 24 Hours of riding day/night/day.

I am not the greatest bicycle rider, and I definitely never pedaled more than 4 hours straight without a break. Adding a 20 to that, which is
the equivalent of my 2006 motorcycle riding record in Brasil while food poisoned. I better pull out my old African pyramid fitness program!
Don't ask, top secret!

Oh well... there is only one way to find out, get in there and adapt. What a great way to get forced-fit for the 2009 Dakar!

"think positive Christophe, think positive..."

:-)

Sand Dunes...

Today, it was RWCSDES... short for "Run.Walk.Climb.Sand.Dunes.Empty.Shoes" all two-hours of it. Running and simply being in the dunes is something that I enjoy as your body gets a much better work-out going up and down and up and down. On the way back my poor dog had the tongue draguing despite emtying the 3L camelback. Two hours will turn into 3 very soon and toward the end of the year I will push that to half day at the office (4 hours). But for now, I am knackered... and i am not the only one ;-)

Sertoes Photos... Brasil!

Sertoes Rally: Final Results

That’s it! After another 4 days of racing all the way up north to Natal, I crossed the podium in 25th position (scratch) and 6th in the production category. The Final Results were:

1st Ze Helio; 2nd Cyril Despres; 3rd David Casteu
4th Marc Coma; 5th Ruben Faria
24th Jordi Viladoms
25th Christophe Barriere-Varju
27th Ludovic Boinnard; 33rd Oscar Polli

This race is definitely a milestone for me as I managed to race the 4,975kms without a fall. The Honda CRF450 ran beautifully and was extremely reliable.

But most important than the final result is the experience gained for the upcoming 10,000kms Dakar in January – both from a racing and from a physical perspective. I can now concentrate on 6-month of intensive preparation for the grueling Dakar Rally.

We received a lot of positive feedback from the work the Dreams Do Come True Foundation did with Acao Social (Social Action) during the Rally. A lot of people came to speak with me during the race to tell me how touched they were about the bicycles we provided to the schools. The bicycles represent not only a memorable milestone in any children’s life but open the doors to the “feeling of freedom” being able to travel, it also teaches the importance of physical activities, maintenance, and repairs. All of us as kids loved to dismantle and put a bicycle back together.

This was the first charitable initiative of the Dreams Do Come True Foundation and we look forward to having a bigger impact in the 2009 programme.

Sertoes Rally... After day 5 of 10!!!

Hi everyone, just a quick mid-race update. All going well, i managed to stay on the bike for the first half of the rally :-) Tomorrow we have a 682km day. I am slowly moving up in the standing, currently 8th in my category and 34th overall on a 450cc production bike. Great to see people coming up to say thanks from the bicycles they (schools received - one school per day during the route of the rally. Off to sleep for a 5am start tomorrow. CBV

Baja 1000... Thinking about it

In May 2005, out of nowhere I started thinking about racing in the Dakar Rally. Guess what now? I am thinking about racing the Baja 1000 (1600 kms). But not as you think. Most team have 3-4 riders and only a handful of riders have attempted the race alone.

Guess what? this is what I am thinking. Going for 1,600 kms straight, on my own, to be completed within 33 hours!

Next week I am off to race the Sertoes Rally in Brasil, I am not ready physically like I was for the 2007 Dakar, but I used to think during the race that I was out there for 1,000 kms per day. In Brasil, I will think Baja 1000 (miles per day). I am thinking about it... and the more I think ;-)

Sleeping in... water

Ok ok ok... I haven't been very good at posting my training routine. Here are a few things that have happened over the last 2 months:
- moved house (pretty much on my own), this must count for iron lifting!
- currently doing a weird sort of training, which involves commuting 500kms per day 4 day per week to go to work (managing fatigue and dealing with attention levels, in Australia we call that... don't hit the Kangaroo
- working out in the car!
- looking for Dakar sponsors
- making a living to feed the dog
- and last but not least, going for a 2-day trip in a canoe camping in the bush

The last bit was supposed to be fun and a good exercise, and it turned out to be of one these Dakar day when things go from bad to worse. Early in the evening, the rain came, and the tent started dripping water inside. Drips turned into little streams running down the waterproof bottom. Streams turned into little pond... then a few hours later, with pounding rain, I was sleeping in a completely "sponged wet" sleeping bag, wet clothes, feeling water going down my back. In the morning I had 5 cm of water everywhere and pretty stiff articulations.

Now this is what you MUST NOT DO 2 weeks prior a major race, that is weaken your body by getting sick. I managed to weaken the body but I think I have fought away the cold.

In the morning, under the rain and fairly cold weather, still completely wet, I paddled my way back to human land wearing a trash bag around my neck to keep warm, guessing where the land on the other side was!

More Leeches... and more Abs

The blog sucking leeches had another fest today, what a motivation to keep you moving in the damped forest areas. The annoying part is when you get back in the car and you start feeling them crawling up your leg while driving!!!

The new "Gostoso" mountain bike is going great ;-) it would be better if I stopped hanging on to it until the last seconds while trying to clear obstables and not being able to "unclip" the pedals. There have been some funny falls lately, way too many though.

Tonight, another 1,000 abs down the roadbook, why 1,000? well it is simple, it is a nice round number but more important is the distance I prepare myself mentally to race while preparing for the Dakar. Since every day are a little less than 1,000kms, the left over are a bonus.

Abs, Abs, ... more Abs

Nothing like strong abs to hold you bike and save energy on the bike. The "new regime" has started again with 1,000 abs per day. For the 2007 Dakar I started doing those in October. This year I am starting in March!

That's right, one thousand (1,000) per day, no fail.

Interval Training

Hi everyone, the heavy duty training has begun! With the base conditioning out of the way, this year i am able to focus more on interval training to increase the size of my heart and lower my heart beat. This will allow me to have a better concentration while racing and ... a clearer head.

I like to keep things fun so I use a walking and climbing trail to do all that, which means I spend 1/3 of my time climbing rocky hills carrying the mountain bike, and or running down rocky hills.

The trick is to keep on moving to avoid leeches getting me ;-)

2008 Dakar Cancelled...

For the first time in the 30 years history of the Dakar, the race has been cancelled. 300 millions viewers worldwide and 500 racers are let down costing more than than 12 million Euros (excluding TV rights) to the organisation and a life of savings to the competitors. But no amount of money can make up for the loss of a Dream for those who might never get a second chance to experience Africa. Watch the video on CBV Racing and click on the SBS logo.