The driver won the most legendary of rallies 6 times on a motorbike and 8 in a car, with 83 stage successes in total.
There is also a little of the Italian THOK E-Bikes behind the latest record set by Stéphane Peterhansel at the Dakar. The 58-year-old driver, by winning the second stage of the 2024 edition, joined Ari Vatanen at the top of the ranking of car stage winners. A record that he adds to the other three already held (6 final victories as a motorcyclist; 8 final victories in cars; 33 stage successes on two wheels).
It's a shame that the famous rally doesn't also include a category for e-mtb... the THOK ambassador could have thought about it in 2025: in fact, for over a year, both he and co-pilot Edouard Boulanger have been carrying out part of their preparation physics and train reactivity and speed using the bicycles made available by the cult Italian brand.
Seeing him pedaling and knowing his passion for every form of motor vehicle, there would have been nothing surprising.
After his 35th participation in the most iconic of rallies, “mr. Dakar” now recounts his long career in a video, revealing some secrets relating to the preparation undertaken before the last marathon run in the desert.
The Dakar rally is one of the most demanding competitions in the world: every year motorbikes, quads, cars and trucks face deserts with very high dunes, mountains and terrains of all kinds, challenging each other on ever-changing routes, in a competition that forces mechanical vehicles and drivers to beyond its limits.
Part of Peterhansel's success is due to an iron self-discipline, the ability to handle pressure and face challenges calmly, learning from his mistakes. If some of these skills are probably innate, much more is the result of training and his openness to ever new ways of preparing for competitions.
Driving ability, physical and mental resistance are certainly qualities that the two-time Enduro World Champion (didn't we say this?) has been able to cultivate with specific training sessions. It is significant that a motor enthusiast like him turned to the bicycle to bring out new resources in the second part of his very long career.
“I really like doing things downhill - commented Peterhansel - but if you want to go down first you need to go up and to go uphill quickly you need a lot of energy. This is why I started using an e-bike, you can double the number of descents.
I also use the bicycle a lot for training: it's an excellent exercise for training your eyesight, which is the key element for going fast in a car in races like the Dakar.
When you go downhill you find stones, jumps, unexpected events... training your eyes and reaction times is essential.
Furthermore, you have to think that we don't have the car we use in the race at our disposal. Training is only possible during tests, so two or three times a year. Consequently, every rider practices other sports, and I like cycling."
Peterhansel initially used a TK01 R and then switched to the Gram RC model from the end of 2023.
“The TK01 is the best compromise for my needs: it is very balanced, it gives me confidence on the descent. – he declared – There is not much difference between the TK01 and a typical bike downhill. It has good suspension, good balance, great brakes. The riding position is also excellent for me. I found it perfect for my needs.
I then tried the Gram and it surprised me especially uphill, with how attached it is to the ground: it allows you to pedal without rearing up."
The partnership with THOK E-Bikes is not accidental: “With THOK we share the same spirit – continues Peterhansel – We both live what we do with passion and THOK is not just a company focused only on business, it is business that comes from heart and passion . I love this approach. The feeling is of being with family. I like the idea of being a small part of this family”:
