How do you prepare for an off-road endurance motorcycle race? Michel prepares for the Gibraltar race

Hi riders, it's Michel! Do you know what my hobby is when I'm not in the office? I take on motorcycle challenges such as the Hard Defi Tour, the Moto Tour in a Zundapp 50 or the Transitalia. I've set the bar even higher now, because on June 18, 2023, I'll be taking part in the Gibraltar Race, Iberian Ring. A 12-day off-road motorcycle endurance race through Spain and Portugal. How do I prepare for this event? I reveal all my techniques:

In the words of the organizers, it's a motorcycle adventure challenge. This endurance race takes place over 12 days, with 400 to 500 kilometers to cover every day. Depending on the year, the route is 50-60% off-road. Endurance is really the right word, because you have to know how to manage your effort over 12 days!

The Gibraltar is above all a regularity race. In other words, you have to respect a given time to complete the links and special stages (the day's events). Running late? Penalties. Arrive early? Penalties.

Finally, it's also an orientation exercise. For each special stage, you have to cross all the waypoints. It's up to you to prepare your navigation correctly so as not to miss a waypoint and avoid a penalty.

Some time ago, via Facebook, I discovered Dominique Durussel, a good Swiss pilot who took on this challenge on an XR400. Then there was Jmi, a blogger, who decided to take on this challenge on a whim after his cancer went into remission.

Over the years, I've followed each edition with interest. But the real turning point came last year, when my friends from Trail Attitude took part with Team Rev 2 Roues. They were the first French team to take part... So this year I finally gave in.

How do I prepare for the navigation part?

Being comfortable with orienteering is just as important as being technically proficient on a bike. As I don't know much about it, I called on Yann Duprey from Trail Attitude. He's really a great guy! Having already taken part in the Gibraltar, he knows what he's talking about. He was kind enough to take me in hand for 3 days to tell me all the navigation secrets I needed to take up this challenge: the equipment I needed, how to set up my tablet on Osmand, how to read the daily log, how to plot the special stages... He also prepared a number of liaisons and special stages in the Morvan so that I could put into practice what I'd learned in theory. A huge thank you! For me, this "training course" was essential if I was to set off more serenely on such an event.

What is my physical training for this sporting challenge?

On the Hard Defi Tour, some of my problems were clearly due to physical fatigue and lack of endurance. With the Gibraltar race, I'm going from 2 to 12 days! My body has to be ready. I've resumed weight training (1 hour every 2 days before going to work) and stepped up my running and cycling routine.

At this stage, I'm still taking too many falls. I still need to improve. What's more, the T7 is a real anvil to get up to... In short, it's a vicious circle: the more you're rinsed, the less lucid you are, the more you fall, the more you're rinsed, and so on. And I'd like to avoid that. My only objective? To finish the race in the best possible physical condition.

How do you progress technically on a motorcycle?

Mud, technique, rolling, gravel, I'm going to have my hands full. So I'm training with the little time I've got available: I'm trying to improve my bike technique. To improve your slow speed? I've taken up trial riding. Well, my first experience earned me a bone fracture in my hand with a strange name, but I'm persevering! I've even been riding my TTR on a cross-country course for fun. Well, there's still work to be done...

Next, another difficulty awaits me during the race: driving on sand. We'll certainly have to deal with it after Lisbon or in southern Spain. How can I improve my technique on this very special surface? Last year, I learned a lot during a course with David Frétigné. But it's been a long time, and there's a gap between what I practiced during the course and the reality of racing. An essential point to work on: my positioning on the bike. Whether it's sand or mud, I have to be able to maintain grip on the rear wheel, and that requires a good position on the bike. So every weekend I ride, trying to vary the terrain so as to work on different postures on the bike. And yes, the Gilbratar Race is over 5,000km on a variety of surfaces. Versatility is essential!

What about off-road training courses? I'd like to do some, but the problem is lack of time. I already ride every weekend. I don't have the gift of ubiquity yet.

Preparing my Yamaha T700 for the Gibraltar Race

Knowing that I regularly ride off-road, my bike is already well equipped. Sabot, caster guard, crash bars, Ohlins suspension... everything is in place.

What's special about this challenge? Navigation. So we fitted a Moto Boxer fork head to install my guidance system. This includes a Tab Active 3 tablet and two stopwatches: one for the day and one for the special stages.

What about the engine? With only 11,000km on the clock, there's no need to touch it. And let's face it, the CP2 runs very well. On the other hand, we're going to carry out a complete overhaul of the bike. As a preventive measure, we'll be changing bearings, wear parts and the chain kit, for example.

What's important? Thinking about solutions to prevent punctures or make them less of a problem. I'm thinking of fitting a center stand, reinforced inner tubes or bib-foam tires. This is an ultra-resistant foam whose density replaces the air pressure in a tire. Impossible to puncture! The center stand remains my preferred option for the time being, as I'm afraid the Bib will melt very quickly, even on the front. Its low central position doesn't change the bike's behavior, but aesthetically it's not great.

Finally, I'm currently testing a Givi saddlebag to carry my day's gear and a few spare parts. I've also attached a Givi toolbox to the side of the bike. I need to finalize exactly what I need.

Anticipating punctures and minor repairs

In the event of a mechanical problem during the event, the organizers can transport your bike to the next bivouac, but this means missing crossing points and losing points.

I'll take with me what's needed to repair a puncture, a small tool kit for minor breakages and a few spare parts such as levers, selectors and brake pedals.

The essentials? Plastic clamps and US tape. It's very simple, but it'll get you to the bivouac. I'll also have a first-aid kit for any injuries to the rider.

The main idea is obviously to avoid falling. I also have to be conscientious about navigation, and above all manage my stress to stay fully focused on driving. Firstly, to avoid mechanical breakdown or any injuries, and secondly, to save myself physically. Am I ready for the Gibraltar Race? Not really! But let's just say I'm on the right track. And as I write these lines, I still have a month to finalize my training. I'm wide open!

I also still have to select the biker gear I'll be wearing for this event, which will have to combine protection, flexibility and comfort. Are you interested? That's the subject of this article.