“We will have a target on our backs”: on the Dakar 2025, Martin Bonnet and his driver Xavier de Soultrait are putting their title back into play

Martin Bonnet (à gauche) et son pilote Xavier De Soultrait reviennent sur le Dakar. DPPI – ASO

Vainqueur du Dakar 2024 en catégorie SSV, le copilote de Mende va défendre sa couronne en
janvier, toujours dans un Polaris de l’équipe Sébastien Loeb Racing.

He had signed up in 2024 “with the aim of performing, but without great expectations”. A year later, Martin Bonnet returned to the Dakar bivouac with a completely different status. The co-driver from Lozère is the man to beat in the 2025 edition in the SSV category, a rank he shares with his driver Xavier de Soultrait.

It was almost to everyone's surprise that the two accomplices won the race last year, by a whisker: 2'25'' ahead of the Swiss Jérôme de Sadeleer after nearly 8,000 kilometers (including around 5,000 timed).

“An exceptional experience”, remembers Martin. “Sharing this success with Xavier, a long-time friend with whom I was in the French enduro team, made this victory even more special. It makes them proud, but also adds “an extra pressure” on their shoulders a few days before the start, which will be given on January 3.

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“Keep the same philosophy”

A building engineer, Martin is a methodical and diligent athlete. His racing knowledge allowed him to finish in the top 50 of his first Dakar on a motorbike, in 2022, then to sail towards victory in SSV last year. She also urges him to be cautious when it comes to putting his title back on the line.

“The Dakar is an unpredictable race, so we're going to have to be consistent, keep the same philosophy as in 2024 and apply an intelligent strategy, accelerating when necessary”, he explains.

Same speech from its driver Xavier de Soultrait, recent SSV winner of the 24 Hours Off-Road of France. The two men will once again be in a Polaris, recently tested in different conditions in Mexico, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

“If they make the podium, that will already be very good”

The American manufacturer is now officially supporting their Sébastien Loeb Racing team, led by the legendary nine-time WRC world rally champion. “Being the favorites is a privilege, but it also means that we will have a target on our backs, postulates the RZR pilot at N.400. A podium would already be very good.”

The two men aim for the podium. DPPI – ASO

Rodolphe Sabatier, who is responsible for the Polaris Camp Maroc course, spent several days with the French duo in November. “They are coming back with more experience, their vehicle works well and they were able to work on it”, he observes.

To the point of playing for victory again ? “If they don't win, on paper we'll say it's not as good, but their victory in the 2024 edition was already exceptional. We don't realize enough! If they make the podium, that will already be very good. They can aim for victory but there will be a lot of competition technique.”

Enduro Champion in 2013

Faced with this new challenge, Martin's experience as a top athlete could be one of the team's best cards in the game. The Mendois knows the pressure of competition.

In addition to rally-raid, he was French motorcycle enduro champion in 2013, and Masters 35 mountain bike enduro champion a few weeks ago. Soon a new trophy on his shelves ? Reply to Shubaytah on January 17, after a journey of nearly 8,000 kilometers.