The «Original by Motul» category corresponds to the one previously titled «Malles Motos».
This category is open to unassisted motorcycles and quads riders, who do not have any companion registered in the race, either as assistance or as Media.
A specific regulation applies to the pilots of this category; the lack of respect for this regulation will lead to the exclusion of the pilot from this category.
This category is reserved for the first 30 registered in this category.
Original by Motul, the toughest category of the Dakar
The category formerly known as «Malles Moto» -malles means trunks in French-, has been renamed since the 2020 edition of the Dakar Rally as «Original by Motul», applicable to motorcycle and quad riders. A name that undoubtedly refers to the origins of the Dakar rally in the late 1970s. It was then, in 1978 when the pioneer Thierry Sabine -D.E.P.P.- conceived a race with marked adventure overtones, in which the riders had to take their vehicles, motorcycles, and cars, from Paris to Dakar with no more logistics, for many of the riders, than what they could carry on their own motorcycles -they carried with their spare parts, tools, gasoline, and even the tent-.
This philosophy is currently maintained in the Original by Motul category, probably the toughest and most authentic of the Dakar, precisely because the participants had to compete without technical assistance, taking care of the maintenance of their mechanics, the repair of possible breakdowns and even the foresight to manage spare parts. The organization provided the riders with a «trunk» in which to store their spare parts, a set of wheels, a set of tires, and personal belongings – equipment, clothes, sleeping bag, etc. – which were transported to the bivouac from one stage to the next, as well as providing tools and a space to work on their bikes.
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The ‘Male
Competitors can pack a Malle (trunk) that the organizers will transport to each bivouac. The trunk must contain their spare parts, tools and equipment, and any necessary personal effects. There are restrictions on the maximum dimensions of the trunk. The organizers will also transport a spare headlamp, a set of wheels and tires, a tent, and a travel bag.
Competitors must also carry out repairs on their own vehicles in Dakar Rally 2021.
The challenge
While all this kit may make it seem like life should be easy for Original by Motul riders, that’s far from the truth. Every day, riders must prepare their bike for the next stage without outside help. This alone can take a few hours, depending on the condition of the bike.
Riders must also prepare their own road books before each stage. And while there is a communal canteen for eating, it is a far cry from the team of nutritionists that some of the factory-backed participants have. Note that the competitor must do all of this after each stage, which in itself can last many grueling hours. After all this, cyclists need enough sleep to be ready for the next stage and it is not uncommon for competitors to survive on only two to three hours of sleep every day, for two weeks!
Text Reference:
https://www.evoindia.com
https://www.dakar.com
https://www.carburando.com