Stephane Peterhansel visited and participated in the mystical Bandama Rally for the first time ever. Back in Africa, he finished 3rd overall aboard a SSV Yamaha YXR 1000R, but more importantly — he was all smiles!
The Bandama Rally in the Ivory Coast is where the seed for cross-countries rally and where the Dakar Rally later originated. When you participate in this race, it is a lot more than a race, it is taking part of history.
For Stephane and his partner Andrea, it was their first time participating and they finished with a very respectable third place 7’07” behind the team Jeremie Warnia / Aurelie Potisek (SSV Yamaha YXR 1000R), and 9’28” behind winner and African Rallies and Bandama Champion Gary Chaynes / Didier Le Borgne on Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. More than half the competitors could not beat the 44th ‘Bandama Rally’ legendary race.
We leave you with some photos, pictures speak a thousand words.
There is something magical about Africa and the Bandama Rally! Here is one of the early 1974 edition.
