The pilots have been preparing for the the Enduropale, the world’s largest one-day sand motorcycle race. To participate, they need a motorcycle that can ride for several hours on the sand and an outfit adapted to the conditions. A lot of professional pilots and enthusiasts go to the commercial area of Seclin, where nearly fifteen motorcycle dealers are gathered in the largest center dedicated to two wheels in Europe.
In front of the Yamaha De Doncker and Motoland dealerships, it’s time for final settings. In the workshops, the motorcycles have very precise specifications. “We change their tires to put on sand tyres. We protect the air filter, we also change the chain kit, the tank and the clutch” specifies Anthony, a mechanic specializing in off-road motorcycles. From mandatory changes to be able to hold on the length.
Since mid-January, requests for motorcycle modifications have multiplied. Anthony alone has already prepared about forty in a month. Parts that the pilots choose directly from the shop of the concession. “The Enduropale marks the start of the competition season, so we do a lot of sales at the start of the year,” confirms Maxime, head of the Cross sector in the Motoland dealership. “We have all types of customers, those who come very early to be able to fine-tune the settings before the race, and those who do it at the last minute. Here we provide them with everything, from safety protections for the pilot to to sand tires for the motorcycle”.
The event alone represents an increase in turnover of almost 25% for professionals.