Written by:
peru.travel
Thursday, January 17, 2019
- Frenchmen Stéphane Peterhansel and Cyril Despres agreed that the country is a perfect place to practice adventure sports.
- Peterhansel celebrated New Year in Cusco and visited the Sacred Valley, while Depres plans to do the Inca Trail once the rally is over.
Frenchmen Stéphane Peterhansel (cars) and Cyril Despres (motorbikes), multi-champions who will participate in the Dakar Rally 2019, highlighted the great tourist attractions that Peru has, as well as the variety of destinations it offers to the world for the practice of adventure sports.
A few days before participating in the 100% Peruvian Dakar, Peterhansel, who is looking for his 14th title in the toughest off-road competition, and his wife Andrea, who will also race in the 2019 Dakar Rally, decided to spend New Year in the city of Cusco. They both visited the Sacred Valley and the citadel of Machu Picchu between 27 December and 2 January.
"I was impressed by the intensity and hospitality I experienced prior to Dakar 2019. I have no doubt that Machu Picchu is indeed one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. After this visit, I think it would be great to have an adventure experience, either by motorbike or by car, in the mountains of Peru", said Stéphane Peterhansel, during his stay.
Meanwhile, Cyril Despres, who is also part of the X-raid Mini JCW team, confessed to being an enthusiastic adventure vacationer. This is why the French rider wants to do the Inca Trail once he has fulfilled his family and contractual obligations.
"Whenever I have vacations, I look for adventure locations together with my wife. We have already set a date for our visit, but unlike Stéphane [Peterhansel] we will do the Inca Trail on foot. It will be an extraordinary experience, and I am sure that it will bring out my most adventurous side on a magical route in the Peruvian highlands," said the motorbike multi-champion.
Meanwhile, the German Annett Fischer, the GirlsForDakar team rider, and Sven Quandt, owner of the X-raid team, also visited Cusco together with the Peterhansels. Both witnessed the hospitality and kindness of the Peruvians, who always welcome national and foreign visitors with open arms.
Finally, it is important to remember that the Feria Dakar Lima 2019 will be held on 4, 5, 6 and 17 January at the Costa Verde Esplanade in the Magdalena del Mar district. The vehicles that will participate in the next Dakar Rally will be presented live at this event.
Dakar Rally in depth
- The 2019 Dakar Rally will take place from 6-17 January, and will involve 5 regions of our country. It is the first time that the most famous rally in the world will be held in a single country and it is the fourth time that the race will take place in Peru.
In this 100% Peruvian edition, the route will consist of 70% dunes, with 30% being different types of terrain. Stéphane Peterhansel and Cyril Despres will participate, the Frenchman having won the Dakar Rally 18 times in total.