Chris Blais - 3rd at Dakar

Robin Hartfiel, Motorcycle Product News editor and publisher, rides the inside line on powersports industry. He interviewed Chris Blais, 3rd in the 2007 Darkar Rally, for Horsepower Marketing Podcast at the Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo.

Dakar Rally 2007 runs over 5000 miles of dangerous terrain, sand, rocks, riverbeds, dunes, and rough roads, you name it. It requires extreme endurance and navigational skills.

Navigation skills are key to this race as speed limits have been imposed on motorcyclists, 95 mph and passing through villages 30 mph.

It all seems surreal. I think it will actually hit me when I’m back home in the US. I had to keep going, there had to be an American on the podium. What matters the most in the Dakar is to remain steady. It paid off for me. I felt much better than in my previous Dakars. Cyril Despres has again proven that he is the best because he is clever in the race. My aim now is to win the Dakar one day and today I know I can.
Chris Blais (USA – KTM – 3rd in the overall rankings)

Photography - SCOTT COX PHOTO