Dakar 2024: “We won mentally”, Lozerian co-pilot Martin Bonnet looks back on his SSV victory

Le duo a pu lever les bras sur le podium final. Florent Gooden – FLORENT GOODEN

Le copilote mendois a signé le premier succès de sa carrière en sport auto, l’emportant pour deux minutes au bout d’une dernière étape haletante.

" Tu te rends compte ? " Barely crossing the finish line in Yanbu, tears slide down Martin Bonnet's cheeks. The Lozerian co-pilot gets off the Polaris buggy and hugs his accomplice from Nivernais, Xavier de Soultrait.

The two men have just learned that they won the Dakar in the SSV category. A first for those who were not announced among the favorites, due to their 19th place last year. The progress, experience and "the crazy work of Sébastien Loeb Racing – Bardahl Team" helped create the surprise.

Tight to the end

Winner of the prologue then stages 5 and 6, the duo had a comfortable lead approaching the finish. A 10-minute penalty complicated their quest. Friday, they left the bivouac with 2' margin on Jérôme de Sadeleer, and still 175 kilometers of special to go. We had to hold on until the end. Final gap: 2'39''. 

" It was hot! We checked the right steps, we pushed where necessary. We were put under pressure by our opponents, we must not give in. We won mentally ", analyzes the Lozérien. Last year, Martin and Xavier bet big on the program of the American manufacturer Polaris.

"A leap into the unknown", into a new discipline – they were bikers –, behind the wheel of a vehicle to be developed. " We made human and financial efforts, everyone tightened their belts. We stripped down and put the Polaris at the top. We did not steal this victory. " It is also that of great friendship, source of perfect osmosis in the buggy.

" We were together on the French Enduro Team… We were not world champions on motorcycles. But we won the Dakar! " The party can begin.