Dakar: TG chats to Cyril Despres

Given that his team mates – Stephane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz – are both bona fide Dakar veterans, and he’s never driven a car at the Dakar before (yes, you read that right), you’d think that Cyril Despres, the third and final piece to the Peugeot driver puzzle, would be a bit nervous about strapping himself behind a steering wheel in the biggest brand comeback in the history of the event.

Well, it turns out he’s not.

See, Cyril is one of those annoying people, frustratingly good at life. Having won the Dakar five times on two wheels, he’s proved himself to be handy on a bike. He’s also devilishly handsome, with a piece of triangular facial hair that’s so perfect he must be a sin, cos and tan pro.

But, most annoyingly, he’s also incredibly humble, and appreciates where he’s got to and is willing to take risks to achieve. This is something TG found out when we sat down with the 40-year old Frenchman before his first four-wheeled Dakar.

TG: What was it like getting the call up from Peugeot to swap sides and try four wheels?

“It was more than a dream for me. To be honest, I think I was the luckiest man of 2014 because all the guys who’ve changed from a Dakar rider into a driver have never done what I’ve done – gone from a pro bike team to a pro car team. There’s been 35 years of Dakar and I’m the first one, this means a lot.

TG: Surely that must be tremendous pressure?

“Pressure means nothing to me. I’ve spent the last ten years jumping on my bikes and doing four to six rallies a year. Each one required riding full throttle when you don’t know the track, but also while constantly fighting competitors like Marc Coma. That’s pressure.

"On two wheels you don’t have the stability of four, so it’s easier to crash. For me, the pressure on the bike was so high I don’t think I’ll ever feel that level again. I do feel pressure for the victory, but I can deal with that, as it’s what I like and keeps me motivated.”

TG: Yourself, Stephane, and Carlos have earned a combined 17 victories in the world’s greatest rally, that’s quite a Super Group you’re part of…

“Ha! Yes. They are the two best professors in this field and they’ve been solely tutoring me about the car – which is a massive privilege. I have so much to learn that I just shut up and listen. But the good thing is that Stephan and Carlos have been there to confirm my doubts I have with the car, as they’re so experienced they’ve already been there.”

TG: Do you have to psych yourself up differently when getting behind the wheel?

“Honestly, it feels different preparing to get in the car. Beforehand I feel more relaxed around my friends and family. When I was racing my bike, if I was leaving to an event it’d feel more like a goodbye because I’ve lost a lot of my friends to bike racing, so each time it was like a proper au revoir.”

TG: Have you felt any difference in the paddock since swapping disciplines?

“The welcome I’ve had by the Peugeot team, drivers and mechanics has been incredible. I haven’t felt any animosity or difference between the cars and bikers at all. They all know what it’s like riding a bike in the desert, and appreciate the cars, and we all have immense respect for each other.

TG: What was your first time in the car like?

“First time I was actually a passenger to Stephan. I couldn’t believe it when he went full throttle and have to admit I was scared. He was like ‘blah, here’s fifth gear, sixth, this is about 180kph and then… hit the brakes, drift here, then jump.’ It was like being in a videogame – absolutely mind-blowing.

TG: What about when you were behind the wheel?  

“When it was my turn people thought I was sweating at first, but I was actually crying with happiness. I did five laps of a 12km loop and it was incredible. The bike is quicker on the brakes and cornering, but the top speed of the car is crazy.

However, the most impressive part is the speed I can go over dangerous obstacles – about 40kph faster than on any bike. This is what’s going to be the hardest challenge over the next two weeks, being to adapt my eye to the Argentinean, Chilean and Bolivian terrain for a car, instead of a bike. If I go 80 per cent of my potential, I’ll be happy.”