Enduropale du Touquet

Enduropale du Touquet Pas-de-Calais
L'Enduropale in 2022
SportMotorcycle beach racing
Round ofChampionnat de France des sables
FIM Sand Races World Championship
LocationLe Touquet-Paris-Plage
Stella-Plage
Pas-de-Calais France
Race distance15 km (9.3 mi)[1]
First run1975
Former names
  • Enduro des Sables
  • Enduro du Touquet
Participants2,761 including 54 women[2]
1,308 in the main event (2024)[3]
Spectators600,000[2][4][5]
Websitewww.enduropaledutouquet.fr
Winners
2026 winner (men) Todd Kellett
2026 winner (women) Mathilde Martinez
Most wins (men) Arnaud Demeester (7)
Most wins (women) Amandine Verstappen (3)

The Enduropale, or Enduropale du Touquet Pas-de-Calais (called Enduro des Sables in its first year and Enduro du Touquet until 2005), is a motorcycle race held annually since 1975 at the beginning of the year on the Opal Coast on the beaches of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage and Stella-Plage in the Pas-de-Calais region. It has now become the largest enduro race in Europe and the longest sand race in the world at 15km. It is the finale of the French Sand Racing Championship (Championnat de France des sables) (CFS).

Since 2023 the Enduropale has been a round of the Sand Races World Championship, organized by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), which was inaugurated in that year,

For the 50th anniversary in 2025, the circuit for the main event was extended from 13 to 15 km (9.3 mi).[1]

History

While watching the documentary On Any Sunday, which highlights off-road motorcycling in wide-open spaces, Thierry Sabine, communications officer at Le Touquet town hall, had the idea of bringing the mass-participation enduro races that were very popular in the United States to France.[6][7][8] The first running of the event, named the Enduro des Sables, took place on 16 February 16, 1975[9] with 286 competitors. The "Touquet" was initially run in two heats. It was the experience and success achieved at the Enduro du Touquet that motivated Thierry Sabine to create the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1979, based on the same principle of competition open to all.

Until 1981, the course of the race called "Enduro des sables" was partly run in the dunes, then following complaints from nature protection associations, the race was run on the beach exclusively.[a]

The year 1991, the Gulf War prevented the event from being organized.

In 2005, Amaury Sport Organisation, owner of TSO (Thierry Sabine Organisation), withdrew from organizing the race. For two years the French Motorcycling Federation took over organising the event.[11]

The competition has become a major event at the European level, with 2,450 competitors (in 2020) and 500,000 visitors.[4]

The 2021 event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 2022 event, initially scheduled for the 28-30 January, was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic to 25-27 February.

In 2023, the premier motorcycle event, the Enduropale, took place for the first time on Saturday instead of Sunday, the usual day since 1975 due to the time of high tide.[12] The Enduropale was included in the first World Cup of Sand Racing , organised by the FIM, and was the first round of this World Cup which consisted of three events, with the Enduro del Verano in Argentina[b] at the end of February and the Monte Gordo Beach Algarve in Portugal , in the town of Monte Gordo in November.[13] The main race returned to Sunday in 2024.[14]

Economic benefits

As the event is free, the municipality's revenue comes from partnerships (32 in 2022), fees for street vendors and an of entry fee of €300 per participant.

For the 2022 event, the municipality of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage estimated the economic impact, at the local and regional level, at €6.3 million, of which €4.8 million is for the organizing municipality. The occupancy rate of the town's hotels (1,100 rooms) is 100% during the three days of the Enduropale.[4]

Rankings

Men's category

Year Enduro du Touquet / Enduropale Quaduropale Enduro Juniors Enduro Espoirs Enduro Vintage
Rider Constructor Rider Constructor Rider Constructor Rider Constructor Rider Constructor
1975 Jacques Vernier Ossa Not run Not run Not run Not run
1976 Daniel Péan Maico
1977 Gilles Francru Husqvarna
1978 Patrick Drobecq Husqvarna
1979 Håkan Carlqvist Husqvarna
1980 Serge Bacou Yamaha
1981 Jean-Paul Mingels Yamaha
1982 Kees van der Ven KTM
1983 Kees van der Ven KTM
1984 Kees van der Ven KTM
1985 Kees van der Ven KTM
1986 Kees van der Ven KTM
1987 Leif Persson Yamaha
1988 Eric Geboers Honda
1989 Eric Geboers Honda
1990 Eric Geboers Honda
1991 Event cancelled
(Gulf war)
1992 Yann Guédard Kawasaki
1993 Gérald Delepine Honda
1994 Jérôme Belval Honda
1995 Arnaud Demeester Yamaha
1996 Arnaud Demeester Yamaha
1997 David Hauquier Honda Pascal Rochereau
Jean-Charles Tonus		 Yamaha
1998 Arnaud Demeester Yamaha Wilhelmus Van Der Laan
Éric Gaillard		 KTM
1999 Jean-Claude Moussé Yamaha Pascal Rochereau
Jean-Charles Tonus		 Yamaha
2000 Thierry Béthy Honda Gilles Abgrall
Alex Brusselers		 EML
2001 Thierry Béthy Honda Pascal Rochereau
Paul Winrow		 Yamaha
2002 Arnaud Demeester Yamaha Blaise Parent
Vincent Pinchon		 Yamaha
2003 Thierry Béthy Honda Blaise Parent
Vincent Pinchon		 Yamaha
2004 Jean-Claude Moussé Honda Romain Couprie
Pascal De Palma		 Yamaha
2005 Arnaud Demeester Yamaha Blaise Parent Yamaha
2006 Timoteï Potisek Honda Romain Couprie
Blaise Parent		 Yamaha
2007 Arnaud Demeester Yamaha Romain Couprie
Blaise Parent		 Yamaha
2008 Arnaud Demeester Yamaha Romain Couprie Yamaha
2009 Timoteï Potisek Honda Romain Couprie Yamaha
2010 Mickaël Pichon Honda Jérémie Warnia Can Am Arnaud Aubin Yamaha
2011 Steve Ramon Suzuki Jérémie Warnia Can Am Dylan Ferrandis Kawasaki
2012 Jean-Claude Moussé Yamaha Jérémie Warnia Can Am Julien Lieber KTM
2013 Jean-Claude Moussé Yamaha Jérôme Bricheux KTM Daymond Martens KTM Antoine Lemaire Yamaha
2014 Adrien van Beveren Yamaha Romain Couprie Yamaha Ben Watson KTM Alexis Collignon Honda
2015 Adrien van Beveren Yamaha Jérémie Warnia Yamaha Maxime Renaux Yamaha Alexis Collignon Honda Johan Boonen Husaberg
2016 Adrien van Beveren Yamaha Jérémie Warnia Yamaha Anthony Bourdon Husqvarna Mathéo Miot Kawasaki Yves Deudon Kawasaki
2017 Daymond Martens Yamaha Jérémie Warnia Yamaha Jérémy Hauquier KTM Florian Miot Yamaha Sven Breugelmans Honda
2018 Milko Potisek Yamaha Jérémy Forestier Yamaha Alexis Collignon Honda Arnaud Zoldos KTM Sven Breugelmans Honda
2019 Nathan Watson KTM MOatthieu Ternynck Yamaha Mathéo Miot KTM Adrien Petit Husqvarna Rudy Vergriete Honda
2020 Milko Potisek Yamaha Randy Naveaux Yamaha Florian Miot KTM Marc Antoine Rossi KTM Rudy Vergriete Honda
2021 Event cancelled (Covid-19)
2022 Milko Potisek[15] Yamaha Randy Naveaux[16] Yamaha Quentin Prugnières[17] Kawasaki Mano Faure[18] Husqvarna Maxime Sot[19] Yamaha
2023 Todd Kellett[20] Yamaha Randy Naveaux[21] Yamaha Adrien Petit[22] Yamaha Sleny Goyer[23] KTM Adrien van Beveren[24] Honda
2024 Todd Kellett[25] Yamaha Randy Naveaux[26] Yamaha Mathis Valin[27] Kawasaki Sleny Goyer[28] Gas Gas David Herbreteau[29] Honda
2025 Todd Kellett[30] Yamaha Randy Naveaux[31] Yamaha Damien Knuiman[32] Gas Gas Jenairo Beerens[33] KTM Adrien van Beveren[34] Honda
2025 Todd Kellett Yamaha q Dragon Quad Racing Tom Caneele KTM Tim Lopes Kawasaki Florian Miot Honda
Sources: [35][36][37]

Women's category

Year Enduro du Touquet / Enduropale[c] Quaduropale[c] Enduro Juniors[c] Enduro Espoirs[c] Enduro Vintage[c]
Rider Constructor Rider Constructor Rider Constructor Rider Constructor Rider Constructor
2010 Mahault Bonnart Yamaha Justine Lesselingue Yamaha ? ? Not run Not run
2011 Nicky Van Wordragen Yamaha Camille Haesaert W-Tec[d] Constance Morel Honda
2012 Mathilde Delsaux KTM Justine Lesselingue ? ? ?
2013 Livia Lancelot Kawasaki Gwen Fiquet Yamaha Justine Charroux Yamaha Manon Bachelet Yamaha
2014 Livia Lancelot Kawasaki Émilie Bourgeois Yamaha Mathilde Denis Yamaha Elsa Galand Suzuki
2015 Julie Peyssard Husqvarna Kelly Verbraeken W-Tec[d] Mathilde Denis Yamaha Morgane Soulier KTM ? ?
2016 Daniëlle van Kempen Yamaha Justine Lesselingue Yamaha Manon Haudoire Yamaha Angèle Boulay KTM ? ?
2017 Daniëlle van Kempen Yamaha Émilie Bourgeois Yamaha Manon Haudoire Yamaha Angèle Boulay KTM ? ?
2018 Mégane Lombard Yamaha Justine Lesselingue Yamaha Manon Haudoire Yamaha Flavie Lobbedez Husqvarna ? ?
2019 Mégane Lombard Yamaha Émilie Bourgeois Yamaha Manon Haudoire Yamaha Leelou Lobbedez Husqvarna Anne France Dupont Yamaha
2020 Manon Haudoire Yamaha Émilie Bourgeois Yamaha Laurine Hugues Husqvarna Léa Chapput KTM Anne Charlotte Tilliette Honda
2021 Event cancelled Covid-19
2022 Mathilde Denis[38][e] Yamaha Émilie Bourgeois[39] Yamaha ? ? Malhory Dupront[40] Husqvarna ? ?
2023 Amandine Verstappen[20] Yamaha Nathanaëlle Abgrall[41] Yamaha Leelou Lobbedez[42] Gas Gas Léa Lesoil[43] KTM ? ?
2024 Amandine Verstappen[25] Yamaha Kelly Verbraeken[44] W-Tec[d] April Franzoni[45] KTM Léa Abraham[46] KTM ? ?
2025 Amandine Verstappen[47] Yamaha Camille Petit[48] Kawasaki Sarah Leroy[49] Kawasaki Thelma Boudier-Damex[50] Kawasaki No women participated
2026[37] Mathilde Martinez Honda Camille Petit KTM Léa Lesoil Yamaha Thelma Boudier Damex Yamaha No women participated

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The French Federation of Nature Protection Societies welcomes the announcement made by Michel Crépeau, Minister of the Environment, to ban the "Enduro des Sables" motorcycle race in the dunes of Le Touquet: "The dunes constitute a living environment of the greatest interest. the specific plants, perennial species such as sand couch grass and sea purslane play a crucial role in the formation of the dune, while marram grass, thanks to its powerful roots, contributes to dune stabilization. But this very interesting environment is also very fragile. With a circuit like the "Enduro des Sables," 25 hectares are completely destroyed and 60 hectares of dunes over a length of 10 to 15 km are severely degraded by the entire event" [10]
  2. ^ This event takes place in Villa Gesell, a town twinned with Le Touquet-Paris-Plage
  3. ^ a b c d e The results for the women's category, from 2010 to 2018, were provided by Justine Pouille from the press service of the Enduropale du Touquet Pas-de-Calais.
  4. ^ a b c W-Tec is a company based in the Netherlands, specializing in the development and production of technical conversion units for motorcycles and motorsports.
  5. ^ She finished 168th overall in the middle of a field of 1,166 competitors.

References

  1. ^ a b Liron, Sylvain; Boulenger, Bertrand (9 February 2025). "Enduropale : le circuit allongé en dernière minute, l'angoisse de la panne sèche" [Enduropale: the last-minute extended circuit, the fear of running out of gas]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b Valognes, Quentin (31 January 2024). "Engagés, courses, organisation et sécurité… Découvrez l'Enduropale 2024 en chiffres" [Participants, races, organization and safety… Discover the 2024 Enduropale in numbers]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Enduropale Du Touquet Pas-de-Calais" (PDF). enduropaledutouquet.fr (in French). January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  4. ^ a b c Ledru, Maxence (27 February 2022). "À qui profite le plus l'Enduropale du Touquet et ses millions d'euros de retombées économiques?" [Who benefits most from the Enduropale du Touquet and its millions of euros in economic benefits?]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  5. ^ "7ème EnduroPale du Touquet : 1083 motos engagées" [7th EnduroPale du Touquet: 1083 motorcycles entered]. Le Repaire des Motards (in French). 11 January 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  6. ^ "Enduro(pale) du Touquet". Le Repaire des Motards (in French). 29 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  7. ^ "L'enduro Du Touquet, Un Peu D'histoire" [The Enduro Du Touquet, A Little History]. www.dakar.com (in French). Archived from the original on 23 February 2005. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  8. ^ Sanlaville, Bertrand (26 November 2024). "La fête se prépare pour les 50 ans du Touquet !" [The party is getting ready for Le Touquet's 50th anniversary!]. Moto-Station (in French). Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  9. ^ Beal, Colette; Holuigue, Fernand; Chauvet, Jean (1982). Le Touquet-Paris-Plage à l'aube de son nouveau siècle 1882-1982 (in French). Société d'éditions Flandres, Artois, Côte d'Opale.
  10. ^ Le Figaro 27 March 1982
  11. ^ Coville, Pascal (3 February 2019). "Jacques Bolle, président de la Fédération française de motocyclisme : l'Enduropale du Touquet, « une vitrine extraordinaire »" [Jacques Bolle, president of the French Motorcycling Federation: the Enduropale du Touquet, "an extraordinary showcase"]. L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  12. ^ "Enduropale - Première historique au Touquet, la course reine aura lieu le... samedi 4 février 2023" [Enduropale - A historic first in Le Touquet, the flagship race will take place on... Saturday, February 4, 2023]. La Voix du Nord (in French). 25 June 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  13. ^ "Le FIM lance la Coupe du Monde de Course sur Sable" [The FIM launches the Sand Racing World Cup]. www.fim-moto.com (in French). 21 October 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  14. ^ Liron, Sylvain (22 May 2023). "Enduropale 2024 : la course motos de retour le dimanche, le vintage réformé" [Enduropale 2024: Motorcycle race returns on Sunday, vintage bikes reformed]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  15. ^ Sylvain, Liron (27 February 2022). "Enduropale : le chef-d'œuvre de Milko Potisek, vainqueur au Touquet pour la 3e fois" [Enduropale: Milko Potisek's masterpiece, winner in Le Touquet for the 3rd time]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  16. ^ Martin Vanlaton (26 February 2022). "Enduropale Touquet 2022 : Randy Naveaux remporte le Quaduro, le Picard Romain Couprie termine deuxième" [Enduropale Touquet 2022: Randy Naveaux wins the Quaduro, Romain Couprie from Picardy finishes second]. france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr (in French). Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  17. ^ Gauthier, Byhet (26 February 2022). "Quentin Prugnières remporte l'édition 2022 de l'Enduropale du Touquet en Juniors" [Quentin Prugnières wins the 2022 de l’Enduropale du Touquet in the Junior category]. Les Échos du Touquet (in French). Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  18. ^ Liron, Sylvain (26 February 2022). "Enduropale: Mano Faure, 12 ans seulement, remporte la course espoirs" [Enduropale: Mano Faure, only 12 years old, wins the junior race]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  19. ^ Liron, Sylvain (25 February 2022). "Enduropale: Maxime Sot remporte le vintage 15 jours après ses débuts, Vergriete 3e" [Enduropale: Maxime Sot wins the vintage race 15 days after his debut, Vergriete 3rd]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  20. ^ a b "L'Anglais Todd Kellett s'impose pour la première fois, revivez l'Enduropale" [Englishman Todd Kellett wins for the first time, relive the Enduropale]. La Voix du Nord (in French). 4 February 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  21. ^ "Enduropale : Randy Naveaux au rendez-vous!" [Enduropale: Randy Naveaux is there!]. mxmag.be (in French). 5 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  22. ^ "Enduropale : Adrien Petit vainqueur chez les Juniors, Hugo Buchelot dans le top-5" [Enduropale: Adrien Petit wins in the Junior category, Hugo Buchelot finishes in the top 5]. mxmag.be (in French). 5 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  23. ^ Sylvain, Liron (4 February 2023). "Enduropale espoirs: le Normand Sleny Goyer intouchable, Dukerts champion" [Enduropale Espoirs: Normandy's Sleny Goyer untouchable, Duverts champion]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  24. ^ Sylvain, Liron (3 February 2023). "Enduropale vintage: phénoménal, Adrien Van Beveren remet les pendules à l'heure" [Enduropale vintage: phenomenal, Adrien Van Beveren sets the record straight]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  25. ^ a b "Enduropale 2024 : Todd Kellett conserve son titre, revivez la course" [Enduropale 2024: Todd Kellett retains his title, relive the race]. La Voix du Nord (in French). 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  26. ^ "Quaduropale : et de quatre pour Randy Naveaux !" [Quaduropale: and that makes four for Randy Naveaux!]. mxmag.be (in French). 3 February 2024.
  27. ^ Sylvain, Liron (3 February 2024). "Enduropale 2024 juniors : Mathis Valin, un champion du monde roi du Touquet" [Enduropale 2024 Juniors: Mathis Valin, a world champion and king of Le Touquet]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  28. ^ Sylvain, Liron (3 February 2024). "Enduropale 2024 espoirs : Sleny Goyer remet ça, un doublé au Touquet en rêvant des USA" [Enduropale 2024 Espoirs: Sleny Goyer does it again, a double victory in Le Touquet while dreaming of the USA]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  29. ^ Sanlaville, Bertrand (2 February 2024). "Enduropale vintage : Herbreteau vainqueur sans trembler !" [Vintage Enduropale: Herbreteau wins without breaking a sweat!]. Moto Verte (in French). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  30. ^ "Classement CFS Motos Hommes" (PDF). Fédération française de motocyclisme. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  31. ^ "Classement CFS Quad Hommes" (PDF). Fédération française de motocyclisme. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  32. ^ Boulenger, Bertrand (8 February 2025). "Enduropale : Damien Knuiman remporte l'épreuve junior malgré une lourde chute" [Enduropale: Damien Knuiman wins the junior race despite a heavy fall]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  33. ^ "Enduropale espoirs : le classement complet" [Enduropale Espoirs: the complete standings]. La Voix du Nord (in French). 8 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  34. ^ "Enduropale vintage : le classement complet" [Enduropale vintage: the complete ranking]. La Voix du Nord (in French). 8 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  35. ^ "Classements enduro touquet Tableau d'honneur" [Enduro Touquet rankings Honor Roll]. enduropale-passion.com (in French). Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  36. ^ "Le palmarès moto de l'Enduropale du Touquet depuis 1975" [The winners of the Enduropale du Touquet since 1975]. pilotedesable.com (in French). 30 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  37. ^ a b "2026 Le Touquet Beach Race - Results". Dirt Hub. 17 February 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  38. ^ Gotte, Richard (27 February 2022). "La victoire et le titre: Mathilde Denis au bout de son rêve" [Victory and the title: Mathilde Denis fulfills her dream]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  39. ^ "2022 - CFS - Quads - Féminines" (PDF). ffmoto.org (in French). Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  40. ^ "2022 - CFS - Juniors - Féminines" (PDF). ffmoto.org (in French). Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  41. ^ "Classement CFS quads Féminines" (PDF). le site de la Fédération française de motocyclisme (in French). Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  42. ^ "Classement CFS juniors Féminines" (PDF). le site de la Fédération française de motocyclisme (in French). Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  43. ^ "Classement CFS espoirs Féminines" (PDF). le site de la Fédération française de motocyclisme (in French). Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  44. ^ "Classement CFS Quads Féminines" (PDF). Fédération française de motocyclisme (in French). Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  45. ^ "Classement CFS Juniors Féminines" (PDF). Fédération française de motocyclisme (in French). Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  46. ^ "Classement CFS Espoirs Féminines" (PDF). Fédération française de motocyclisme (in French). Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  47. ^ "Classement CFS Motos Femmes" (PDF). Fédération française de motocyclisme (in French). Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  48. ^ "Classement CFS Quad Féminines" (PDF). Fédération française de motocyclisme (in French). Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  49. ^ "Classement CFS Juniors Féminines" (PDF). Fédération française de motocyclisme (in French). Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  50. ^ "Classement CFS Espoirs Féminines" (PDF). Fédération française de motocyclisme (in French). Retrieved 8 February 2025.
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