For a few weeks, Bertrand Dometmanager of the Ferme du Pré in Éragny-sur-Epte (Oise) will abandon his chickens and eggs to devote himself to his other passion: motorcycling. With his brother Arnaud, he will participate in the 47th edition of the Dakarin Saudi Arabia, one of the most prestigious races in the world.
At 41, the driver will participate in his second Dakar, sixteen years after the first. A passion that came from his father, Philippe Domet, a motorcycle enthusiast. “Arnaud and I were born on a motorcycle, explains Bertrand Domet on the Dakar website. Dad put us on it when we were 4 and 5, and we’ve been hooked ever since.» Quickly, the two brothers started competing, with their first enduros around 14-15 years old. First in 50 cm3, then in 125 cm3, before taking on larger displacements. Until arguing over their first Dakar in 2009.
A first Dakar in 2009 with his brother and father
“Doing the Dakar all three in 2009 was magical», Testifies Bertrand. Philippe Domet had already competed in the famous race in the 90s, when it was still held in Africa. In 2009, his two sons accompanied him to Argentina, for the first South American Dakar. On their Yamaha 450 WRF, the Domets managed to finish the race and reach Buenos Aires. Bertrand in 83rd place, Arnaud in 85th. “I took my sons to the start, they took me to the finish», summarized Philippe.
This year, Bertrand and Arnaud will be competitors again, but intend to help each other, as is the tradition of the race. “Two or three years ago, we were watching the race on TV and my wife asked me when I was leaving again, remembers Bertrand, for the Dakar website. You shouldn’t have asked me that question! I called my brother and the program was set up. We obtained our qualification for the 2023 Morocco Rally. The new rally-raid motorcycles are very pleasant to ride in the desert and wide open spaces. It’s the dream! I come looking for a challenge and a new beautiful story to share at the Dakar. We are not going to put pressure on ourselves, the objective is to arrive at the finish together, like in 2009. At the time, we would not have made it to the end without our father, we took advantage of his experience to stay calm. In enduro races, we push each other as brothers to finish ahead of each other. But here, we will try to help each other to keep a cool head and get to the end.”
Departure January 3
The Domet brothers will participate in the race in rally category 2that is to say non-professional pilots. But they will do everything to defend their chances, and reach the end of this adventure, in which Bertrand will be supported by his two children, both of whom are also already motorcycle enthusiasts.
This will begin this Friday, January 3, with the prologue around Bisha. Twelve stages will then await the pilots, between January 4 and 17, from Bisha to Shubaytah. In total, 8,000 km will be covered by motorbike, including 5,000 on special. A real mental and physical challenge.
