X-adventure & Raid Gauloises combine

Rob / 13.03.2002

The Raid Gauloises has effectively combined forces with the X-adventure series. The new series is called the X-adventure Raid and the races are will be qualifying events to get into the Raid Gauloises from 2003 onwards. In fact, doing well in the X-adventure Raid series will be the ONLY way into the Raid Gauloises.

Both have previously been organised by French company Saga D’Adventures, who have decided to combine operations. Here is what they had to say:

“As from June 2002, the legendary Raid Gauloises will be preceded by a series of international qualifying trials: the X-adventure Raid Series. Gone is the time when anyone could expect to line up for the Raid Gauloises. To ensure the highest level of competition and a responsible race security, Saga dAventures is merging both events. Any mixed teams intending to compete in the Raid Gauloises, will have to prove themselves over the X-adventure Raid Series.”

“At the end of this first true world series of five identical format races, a weekend in which to cover a distance from 180 km to 220 km, the thirty best teams in the overall ranking will be invited to compete in the original adventure race, the Raid Gauloises, in Spring 2003. All registration fees, as well as their return ticket to the race location, will be provided free of charge.”

There’s more too. They are introducing doping controls and to try and avoid doubts over race dates have fixed the timing of future races to the Spring (European presumably). They’ve even announced the venues: Kyrgysztan in 2003, Peru in 2004 and Ethiopia in 2005.