Original by Motul of Dakar

Among all the competitions in Dakar, there is a very special existence, that is, the backless group in the motorcycle group (English: Original by Motul; French: Malle Moto). During the thousands of kilometers of Dakar journey, we did not rely on backup support at all, and only relied on the bikers to challenge the difficulties and dangers. If you see the special number plate with white letters on the red background representing the backup group, please pay them the highest respect. Today, we will learn about the situation of this helpless group like a lone hero.

First of all, as the name implies, bikers who participate in the non-backup group cannot carry any form of backup personnel throughout the race, including assistants, photographers and other personnel. However, in order to reduce the burden of maintenance tools carried by bikers, the following materials will be uniformly provided for bikers without backup group:

Each person is provided with a standard size box (see the red box in the figure above), which is used to carry personal belongings, small maintenance tools, spare parts, etc. of bikers. This box is carried to the camp after the end of each stage by the competition, and it does not need to be carried by the bikers themselves.

In addition, the race will also help bikers carry a set of wheels and tires, a tent and sleeping bag, and a travel bag.

Mote Oil, the title sponsor of the non-backup group, will provide Mote's full range of products for vehicle maintenance free of charge.

In the camp, riders can use large maintenance equipment such as electric and pneumatic tools provided by the competition for free.

Therefore, the race is to make adequate material preparation for the bikers without backup. In addition to the need to do it yourself, other equipment and tools do not need the bikers to worry too much.


In addition, although backup personnel are not allowed to support each other, during the race, bikers are allowed and encouraged to help each other. We often see other biker stop to rescue when there is a vehicle fault or injury, which is encouraged by the Dakar spirit and does not violate the rules of the non-backup group. If the vehicle can be repaired by itself in time, the biker can continue the race. If there is a condition that is difficult to repair or the biker is injured, he can only call the rescue helicopter to interrupt the race of this stage. In addition, bikers who lend a helping hand in the race stage will have the opportunity to make up for the time lost due to rescue after the race.


After the end of the race every day, return to the camp. The cars without backup teams need to be parked in a special area. The bikers find their boxes and work stations here, and carry out timely repair and maintenance of their vehicles. After completing the preparations for the next day's race, they will set up tents beside the cars and rest in place. When complex problems are difficult to solve in the camp, bikers without backup can help each other, but bikers without backup are not allowed to enter the area, nor can they provide any kind of help.

In addition to challenging themselves, the other important reason for bikers to sign up for no backup group is that the registration cost is low. Because there is no need to hire a backup team and do everything by yourself, the team without backup has become the lowest threshold for the world's rally fans to realize their dreams in Dakar. If you also have a Dakar dream, consider the group without backup.


Of the 124 two-wheeled motorcycle contestants in 2023, 27 riders signed up for the Original by Motul group.