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Dakar, Senegal, 15 November 2009 – The endurance bicycle race/expedition "Paris-Dakar by Bike" was a race between two Swiss youngsters Eric Voutaz and David Imboden. Voutaz showed up as the strongest and was 52 minutes ahead after a race of 7200 kilometres.
The podium was completed by Dirk Franckx from Belgium. Female winner was Toos van Beijsterveldt from The Netherlands.
"Paris-Dakar by Bike" is a unique cycling race/expedition which started at the Eiffel Tower, and crossed the Pyrenees, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert.
A group of 25 cyclists left Paris at September 6th to finish 10 weeks later at Lac Rose near Dakar.
The riders from 14 different countries had excellent cycling conditions most days, but had also to fight hail in Andorra, high temperatures in the Sahara and countless climbs between the French and Senegalese capital.
It was already obvious from the beginning that the best cyclists came from Switzerland.
The youngsters Eric Voutaz and David Imboden finished most stages together.
Photo: Not much chance of a shady rest hereCopyright Bike Dreams
Many times they were accompanied by some of the other riders, but it were always the Swiss racers which were in camp first.
It was in the mountainous inland of Spain that Voutaz was able to gain the lead over Imboden extending this to one hour.
The Swiss bank employee consolidated his lead on the African continent with the Atlas mountains, the never-ending Sahara and the flat, but hot, conditions in Mauritania and Senegal.
Voutaz proved to be the best endurance athlete in the most diverse conditions, mentally as well as physically.
"Paris-Dakar by Bike" is more than a race.
The majority of the riders do not compete. They cycle together at their own pace and enjoy the scenery and culture of the European and African continent.
Photo: Danger in the mountains?Copyright Bike Dreams
The riders ranged in ages from 25 to 65 years. Most of the them managed to cycle every single kilometre and proved that the tour is doable for a wide range of active people.
"Paris-Dakar by Bike" will not be organized in 2010, since Bike-Dreams is planning the second edition of "The Andes Trail", a 11,000 km cycling race/expedition in South America.
The fourth edition of Paris-Dakar by Bike is being organized from September 4th till November 12th, 2011.
Find all information about both expeditions at the website of the organization www.bike-dreams.com or mail to
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.
Top photo: The 2009 Paris-Dakar podiumCopyright Bike Dreams
Dakar, Senegal, 15 November 2009 – The endurance bicycle race/expedition "Paris-Dakar by Bike" was a race between two Swiss youngsters Eric Voutaz and David Imboden. Voutaz showed up as the strongest and was 52 minutes ahead after a race of 7200 kilometres. 
The majority of the riders do not compete. They cycle together at their own pace and enjoy the scenery and culture of the European and African continent. 
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