Hello! I am Romain Dumontier, I am 35 years old and I have been riding motorcycles for almost 30 years, I live in Dieppe, in Seine-Maritime.

I started very young, around 4 or 5 years old, with a small Piwi 50 motorbike. My parents ran a motorbike shop, which really helped me get started. I was constantly surrounded by motorbikes, and that allowed me to get introduced to this world very early on. My father, who himself competed and took part in the Paris-Dakar, was a great source of inspiration for me.

As I grew up, my passion for motorcycling only grew. At the age of 7-8, I started competing in regional competitions. One thing led to another, and I climbed the ranks to compete in national competitions. It was the beginning of a long journey that led me to become a professional rider.

At 19, joining the French team was a turning point for me. It prompted me to abandon my studies after the BAC to fully focus on my career as a motorcycle racer. Also, my transition to Rally Raid and my participation in the Paris-Dakar played a crucial role in the development of my career, they offered me new opportunities and broadened my horizons in the world of motorsport.

I won my first EnduroGP world title in the 125cc junior class at the age of 20, representing the French team. It was only my second season at this level, and this victory was a very proud moment for me. It was recognition of all the efforts I had made since I started in the world of motorcycling.

In 2011, I was also the team champion, which is like the Olympics of motorcycling. The race takes place over six days, and it is a real test of endurance and strategy. Working with my teammates to represent France was unique. Unlike individual competitions, where everyone is their own opponent, in team competition, we have to support each other and work together to achieve our common goal.

In 2019, after ten years of competing in France and internationally, I felt like I had explored all the possibilities in these championships. That's when an opportunity presented itself in Brazil. I am passionate about traveling and I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, so I seized the opportunity. For six months, I lived in Brazil, alternating between training in France and participating in Brazilian competitions. I had the opportunity to discover seven different cities, and I traveled the country on a motorcycle. I also had the chance to share this experience with other riders, including an Argentinian who has become a regular companion within the team.

My most memorable experience was probably my time in Brazil. It was a time when I not only participated in the national championship, but also discovered a culture that was completely new to me. Living in Brazil during this period allowed me to completely immerse myself in a different environment, it enriched my personal and professional perspective.

Then, my years spent competing in the world championships were extraordinary. Traveling around the world to participate in races allowed me to discover new tracks, new cultures and to meet motorcycle enthusiasts from all walks of life. Participating in the Dakar in Saudi Arabia was an intense and memorable experience, where each stage represented a new physical and mental challenge.

The races in Morocco also marked my career. I met drivers like the Morel brothers, with whom I shared some great moments on the Moroccan tracks.

The Covid-19 period was particularly difficult for all drivers, as all competitions were suspended. It was a period where it was difficult to train and maintain an optimal level of competition. The Dakar quickly became the only event to be held under "normal" conditions.

Despite my initial reservations about the race due to its reputation for danger and its impressive length of 10,000 km over 15 days, I decided to take the opportunity that presented itself. With the logistical support of my father, we organized my participation. Ultimately, this decision turned out to be a super positive experience as I am still in it today.

My first experience at the Dakar in 2021 was really intense. I didn't have any particular pressure, my main goal was to go all the way and discover this discipline. The race is extremely demanding, both physically and mentally. I was pleasantly surprised by my final ranking, finishing 22nd overall and 3rd among the French was beyond my expectations.

What really struck me was the camaraderie and mutual support between the participants. We are cut off from the outside world for 15 days, and this creates very strong bonds. Sharing this adventure with my father, who took care of all the logistics, made the experience even more special. We had incredible moments together, and it taught me a lot about resilience and team spirit.

Consistency has always been one of my strong points. I think it is largely due to my experience and the way I train. I try to train as often as possible, although it is not always easy due to the weather conditions and the associated costs. There is no desert near my home, so to train in conditions similar to those of the Dakar I have to travel a lot, which is expensive.

In preparation for the Dakar, there is also a large part of organization and budget to manage. The logistics are complex and require a lot of time, which sometimes encroaches on training time. I try to vary my sports activities to stay in shape, such as motocross or other sports. This allows me to stay in good physical condition and maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially as the big competitions approach in January.

In 2024, my main goal is to defend my first place in the Dakar Rally, which is one of the events of the World Rally Championship comprising five competitions in total. Having won the championship the previous year, I am determined to maintain this leading status. This will require intensive preparation and rigorous race management throughout the season to aim for the performance and consistency required at the highest level of rally raid.

Managing the budget for my competitions is a crucial aspect of my career. I try to approach and solicit the support of my close circle. My main sponsors are generally local companies that share my passion for motorsports. They see in my journey an opportunity to promote their brand, which gives them satisfaction. In return, I commit to giving them visibility by displaying their logos on my bike and by integrating them into various events that I organize. Inviting my sponsors to races or special events is also a way of thanking them and strengthening our partnership, by sharing with them the highlights of my sporting career.

To continue to progress in my career as a rally raid driver, my goal is to become an official driver within a team. Being integrated into an official team like Honda would be an ideal opportunity, as it would allow me to benefit from complete professional support. Official teams take care not only of travel and logistical organization, but also of specific training that is essential to perform at the highest level.

I recently had the opportunity to test for Honda in Argentina, which was a promising experience. Currently, I am waiting for their decision for the 2025 season.

For young drivers aspiring to a career in rally raid, especially in competitions as demanding as the Dakar, I recommend above all to work hard and train regularly. It is a sport that requires intense physical and mental preparation. It is essential to remain disciplined and maintain a balance between studies and sports practice.

Not getting distracted by other activities is also crucial. Focusing on your sporting goal and being willing to invest time and effort in training is key to progressing. Building strong relationships with sponsors is equally important, as their financial and logistical support is essential to being able to compete and progress in your career.

I met the Morex team when they were just starting out, when they were only selling caps and were starting to develop their brand. During my first Dakar, they launched their t-shirts, and I immediately found their style cool and in line with mine. Since then, I wear Morex t-shirts at almost every race. What I really like is that I find myself in the brand: we share the same values ​​and a passion for motorsports.

What I appreciate most about Morex is the undeniable quality of their clothing. As soon as you touch them, you feel this quality. Their style is both sober and sometimes original, which allows me to stand out without being banal. Morex products perfectly match my lifestyle and my sports activities, which makes my partnership with them all the more authentic and enjoyable.