Motorsports, one of the world’s least practiced sports due to its high cost for self-financed participants, is expanding Morocco’s horizons–bringing with it a slew of tourists and fans alike–thanks in large part to Morocco’s first icon in this dangerous and daring endeavor. Amine Echiguer, the Kingdom’s first cyclist, who introduced Morocco to the world of motorcycling by winning a world motorbike title in 2022, would indeed be that icon.
As a participant in a sport that engulfs considerable finances, mental and physical preparation, and requires adequate landscape for training, Amine is one of those individuals who sacrificed his time, money–and some might argue, sense of inner peace–to pursue his passion for motorbiking as an amateur. However, he actually competes with professionals who dedicate all their time to training.
In an exclusive interview with Barlaman Today, Amine unveiled some of this wondrous and passionate spirit to the public, asserting that anyone who practices this sport is truly a devotee to achieving success in the sport, as it lacks the glamor, fame, and fortune of football. He expressed his gratitude at being considered the ambassador of this sport to Moroccans.
“I am the first Moroccan to enter this sport and take part at an international level, but I am not just taking part; no, I am fighting to be on the podium and to make our flag fly high, with the minimum funds that I have. There is a lot of demand from young Moroccans who want to join the Moroccan Motor Sports Federation for Rallying, which has led the Federation to create an academy. I see a bright future for Morocco in this field.”
The Moroccan driver said that when he took off, he was the only one, and that’s something to be proud of. He feels as if he has opened the way for a lot of amateurs to pursue it, as well.
“Financing and sponsoring are really important in this sport because after the use of a wheeled motor, even for training, at least a part of it will be broken and needs to be changed, excluding the diesel. Normally, a pilot is changing his motorbike every year or two.”
“At this year’s edition of Morocco Desert Challenge, I was about to be on the podium, as runner-up or at the third place, but the lack of financing was the real cause as to why I was disqualified from the competition. I had only one motorbike, and it was broken at the final stages of the competition, while other bikers had a number of bikes and their spare parts along with a whole team of technicians, mechanics, and mental trainers with them. My team, however, consists of myself, a mechanic, and a driver.”
Over 70 competitors were present at this edition, crowned with the win of Pol Tarrés, who was a few minutes ahead of Amine at the competition, thus rendering a runner-up position for the Moroccan driver at the day’s podium. However, the Moroccan driver was able to beat him once, despite the large gap between their teams in available resources. Tarrés is sponsored by the renowned Yamaha and thus a team with over 30 personnel, with several spare motors and associated parts.
The biker pondered if he were to have possessed the same financial resources as those of his peers, he probably would have been this year’s Morocco Desert Challenge champion. However, as he is his own sponsor and financial supporter, he couldn’t even afford a new motorbike to continue in the competition.
The Morocco Desert Challenge, which spans 3,000 kilometers from Agadir to Saidia over the course of a week, provides an opportunity for professional riders to demonstrate their abilities and endurance in one of the world’s most arduous rally raids.
Amine added that during his last competition, he was sponsored more by international companies than by domestic ones, but still very little compared to the amount of funding “real professionals” are receiving to compete at large-exposure events and competitions. He sees himself eclipsed by big-name drivers not because of lack of talent, but because of the funding issue.
This passion for the sport grew in Amine since his adolescence; he had always been a fan of motorbikes. At first, his parents were reluctant to permit his participation, believing that these types of vehicles are not safe; that was, until they saw his passion.
“I started to participate in international competitions post-COVID in 2021. During the COVID era, I went to the desert and spent around six months training and practicing my passion. I realized how lucky I am being Moroccan and living in Morocco because this country has the ideal conditions and landscapes for training and organizing high-caliber competitions for this sport, so I took the decision of involving myself and my country’s flag on the list of the sport’s practitioners.”
Even without this critical assistance, Echiguer has established himself on the world scene. In 2022, while competing in the Rally of Morocco, he became the first Moroccan to win the Afriquia Enduro Cup category.
In the cutthroat world of powersports, where a career sometimes hangs by a thread–or rather, a brake cable–Echiguer is taking it in his stride and keeping the same objective in mind. That objective indeed would be to take part in the “holy grail” of road racing–the Dakar–which costs more than 1 million MAD, excluding logistics. The Moroccan pilot therefore seeks more support and funding to be able to participate and show the world his potential and skills.
“It is a dream for me to win other trophies and cups, especially the biggest one, Rally Dakar, because I plan to retire in a few years.”
Amine’s technical background and employment as a supply chain manager enable him to effectively manage his sports career. His expertise enables him to approach his training and racing with a balanced perspective. Of course, in order to arrive at a race in the best possible shape, both mental and physical preparation must be outstanding.
“Physically, I need to follow a particular training regimen. I also have to practice in motocross to become used to the terrain, grades, and riding. Finally, mental preparation allows me to enhance various parts of my everyday life, notably stress management.”
“Above all, I do meditation exercises–called mindfulness–which help me to stay as focused as possible because during a race that lasts from 3-4 hours, I have to be very focused. I’m not saying that I stay 100% focused, but I have to be, especially during periods when I’m taking a risk that could cost me dearly, especially physically.”
This sport is very important for Morocco because the competitors cross the entire country from Nador to Dakhla and display the most beautiful scenery of the country, which attracts many tourists who watch the tournaments. This, in turn, is publicized by international media, especially Sport 1, as world-renowned professionals are enticed to come to train here. The local media are not too interested in this sport, although it is the only one that highlights the beauty of Morocco.
As more Moroccans started to watch and follow this sport–not only the richest social class, but also the middle class–the racer said that a large proportion of his followers on social media are comprised of this middle class who own “regular” bikes such as the C50. It is becoming more and more popular with time, and it is with the showing that it is possible to become a pro and to prove that it is not exclusively a sport for the “rich,” as there are many professionals who came from a modest social class but who are doing great.