ENDUROPALE IN TOUQUET-PARIS-PLAGE - From 02/02/2013 to 02/03/2013

When 1050 motorbikes launch themselves down the long sandy beach of Le Touquet, the roar that reverberates right through this stylish resort means only one thing – the start of the Enduropale challenge! 

A major event in France’s sporting heritage, Enduropale was launched in 1975 as the Enduro des Sables by the late Thierry Sabine, founder of the legendary Paris-Dakar race.  This is the competition that no serious all-terrain biker wants to miss, the race dubbed the ‘most challenging in the world’ by the experts, which pits the best regional riders against leading competitors from across the world. 

In its early days, the Enduro des Sables lasted three hours and included a section through the dunes, but over the years, its route and length have been modified in order to maintain the natural eco-systems and wild spaces of the Opal Coast.
In 2005, the event was relaunched as the Enduropale/Quaduro by the town and by race organisers, the ETO.  The course was shortened and a special class introduced for young riders and quad bikes.  Taking place over two days, the three competitions attract an ever-increasing field – 1000 motorcycle riders from 17 countries, 250 young competitors aged from 13 to 17, and around 800 quads. 

The bikers race over 17.8 kilometres with a shorter route for the younger participants and a 14.1 km course for the quads.   This tough challenge gets more popular every year and some 300,000 spectators descend on Le Touquet for the weekend.  It’s packed with thrills for the spectators and every year, photographers snap thousands of amazing action shots.
There’s always something new going on too.  A totally electric bike took part last year alongside the petrol bikes, providing spectators and competitors with a tantalising glimpse of the future.  The electric bike completed the course and will certainly be one to watch in years to come, even if the die-hard fans aren’t ready for a silent Enduropale just yet!