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!”