Mathieu Marchand - Original by Motul category Manager

Mathieu Marchand,

“Original by Motul category” Manager. French.

How did you first join the Original by Motul staff?

"I was leaving in Buenos Aires in 2008 when I learnt that Dakar was coming to south America.I instantly decided to send my CV to ASO however they informed me that the staff was already completed.Two weeks before the start, the phoned me back saying that because a staff cancellation I could join the 2009 Dakar staff team.After so many years as Dakar and motorcycle fan (I ride a 660XTR and KTM 350) fan my dream came true. 2018 is my 10^th Dakar!"

 

What is attractive about Original by Motul?

 

"I joined the Original by Motul staff team as assistant in 2009 but after 5 years I became the category manager! Now the staff team is made of 4 people : Simon, Santiago, Ammar and I.

Original by Motul is the place I like to work within Dakar organization because these guys are pure warriors! They are riders the day, mechanics the evening and their own press officer during the night.

They are pure amateurs achieving their dream and racing without any assistance. They have to do everything by themselves.

I feel very useful helping them. I’m like their father!

They kept exactly the same DNA from Dakar origins.

Most of them become good friend after the Dakar."

 

What is your prognosis for the Orginial by Motul ranking?

 

1.VAN DER GOORBERGH Jurgen – KTM – 48

2.PAIN Olivier – KTM – 16

3.LIEFHEBBER Hans-Jos – KTM - 51

 

What is your best Original by Motul memory?

 

"In 2014 a French fireman, Yannick Guyomarc’h participed to the Dakar as Original by Motul.

One day it was so hot during the stage (more than 50°) that the fuel started to boil inside the tank.

Yannick started to feel very bad at the end of the stage but because of his job he knew what to do and decided to lie down almost naked in the shadow of a tree.

Few locals people saw him and decided to invite him for few minutes at their home for food and drinks. After that he could restart and join the bivouac!"

 

Do you have an ingenious story relating to Original by Motul?

 

"Few year ago the bivouac in Chile was inside Valparaiso bicycle arena. It was great but discovered when arriving with the Original by Motul truck that the door was too small. The only solution was… to dismantle the door! After that the truck managed to enter and to provide full support to the riders."