Riding his Fantic XEF 450 Rally, the pilot from Bayonne will be at the start of the competition to defend the title he won last year. Here are his tips for those looking to tackle this rally for the first time.
Good luck on your first attempt! His debut in rally-raid was truly excellent, as after covering 1,200 kilometres on the most challenging tracks in Morocco, he brought home the overall victory in the motorcycle category. On his Fantic XEF 450 Rally, this young Frenchman from Bayonne, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, climbed to the top of the podium for two wheels, proudly representing the Pays Basque Aventures team. A more than positive experience for Tom at the FenekRally 2024, so much so that this year, from November 15 to 23, he will be present at the eleventh edition of the rally.
“I decided to participate again in the FenekRally because I had so much fun last year -explains Tom Deest- The affordability, the kindness of the staff, the beauty of the route, the atmosphere and the support among participants make this rally a must for amateur riders looking for desert adventures. I recommend the FenekRally to all beginner motorcyclists in this discipline because it allows you to savor the joys of competition without unnecessary pressure. Last year was my first rally-raid experience and the friendly environment among the two-wheeled participants, as well as with those in cars and SVVs, was very reassuring. More experienced riders will also find the FenekRally a perfect training ground, thanks to the diversity of the route, for other motorsport events.”
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it: at the start of the 2025 edition, Tom will once again be riding his high-performance Fantic 450 Rally. “Yes, this year I will be racing again with my 450, which hasn’t undergone major changes compared to 2024 -continues the French rider- Mainly, there are small improvements made to simplify things in case of mechanical issues. A tip for those wanting to participate in a rally for the first time? Have a bike that is as simple as possible! The simpler the electrical system is, the better is! It’s also essential to know your bike inside and out. In this sense, training at home to learn everything about your adventure companion in a calm environment will save time and reduce stress in case of a breakdown: knowing exactly what to do allows you to intervene where needed and bring the necessary tools.”
One last advice for those wanting to register on a motorcycle? “Minimize the weight on the navigation tower; the Moroccan tracks are extremely tough and test the equipment. Finally, the most important aspect for me: the FenekRally is an endurance race, not a sprint, so you need to maintain a significant safety margin by riding at a maximum of 60 or 70% of your capabilities; the race is long, and the only goal is to cross the finish line every day” concludes Tom.
For information on registrations and procedures, visit www.fenekrally.com
