Didier has been a motorcyclist since the laws allowed him to ride a motorcycle: “I have been riding motorized two-wheelers for 33 years now!”
A fan of both road and off-road, he took his first steps in competition in the disciplines of motocross and enduro as soon as he turned 18.
In the midst of his decades in motorcycling, he “holds a special affection for a Kawasaki 400 he owned around the age of 20 and with which he was often ‘optimistic.’”
On September 22, he is preparing to hop on his Ducati to cover a total distance of about 3,000 kilometers on open roads and on circuit, by day and by night: The route consists of eight stages. On the agenda: twelve road specials, including two at night, three circuit specials, including one at night, and two time trials (regularity tests).
Reims-Toulon on two wheels. A challenge? No, a pleasure that Didier Lorenzi will savor during these different stages. Safe travels and be careful!
Nice-Première: This is your first participation in the Dark Dog Moto Tour. Why embark on this adventure today?
Didier Lorenzi: Having stopped motorcycle racing and then participated in major events like the Paris Dakar or the Tunisian rally, I was drawn to the adventure of France’s largest road rally: the Dark Dog Moto Tour, but due to the difficulty of the event, I hesitated to commit in previous years. This year I am taking the plunge! I will participate as a VIP, completing the entire event to report on the rally on the site of France Bleu… francebleu.com The route between Reims and Toulon consists of 11 stages over 9 days of racing, offering 300 to 650 km of small roads to cover at an average speed of 60 km/h (on open roads, respecting the highway code “the connections”) By day and also by night, interspersed with special stages on closed roads and also on 3 circuits (Carole/Magny-Cours/Castres) where the riders and their machines fight down to the hundredth of a second like in car rallies!
N-P: You will be doing Reims-Toulon: 3,000 km. 11 hours of roads every day. Is a physical preparation necessary?
D.L.: Given the length of certain stages and my not very physical job as a “sound” technician at Radio France, I try to maintain a bit of physical fitness with cycling and swimming on the agenda to make it through.
N-P: How did you organize this race technically and financially?
D.L.: The budget, although “low” for a “mechanical” activity, is around €5000, with hotel and support team for the 9 days of adventure, and I thank my partners for their help: Radio France, LAURENT LACHKAR, TRIPY (GPS to follow the road book).
N-P: Tell us a bit about your motorcycle?
D.L.: My motorcycle, a Ducati 1000 MULTISTRADA prepared by Laurent Lachkar in Nice, is mainly finalized for facilitated riding with racing parts prioritizing lightweight gain and flexibility for small roads and maximum reliability.
N-P: What are your objectives?
D.L.: My goal is to experience the entire race and to share my impressions with the widest audience, with a “globe trotter” perspective and the words of a guest at each stage on the France Bleu website.
N-P: How would you describe the “biker spirit”?
D.L.: The biker spirit is quite hard to describe as it is a mix of freedom, movement, rebelliousness, exhilaration, a sense of community, and a passion for mechanics.
N-P: On the eve of departure, how are you feeling?
D.L.: Just a few days from departure, nothing is ready but everything will be!!! I remain optimistic and aware of the privilege I have to participate, given that the 250 spots have been snapped up and 500 bikers couldn’t find a place.
See you soon on [francebleu.com](https://www.radiofrance.fr/chaines/france-bleu/?tag=azur)
Dark Dog Moto Tour website: [www.moto-tour.com](https://www.moto-tour.com)
