Off road racer, adventurer, dreamer of wild dreams
Christophe Barriere-Varju has met and overcome many challenges and dreamed many dreams on the road to becoming one of the world's leading off-road motorcycle racers.
Born in France, raised in West Africa, and completing his education in California, Christophe started racing at the age of 14, winning legendary status around his hometown of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast for his aerial acrobatics, skills and speed on a motorcycle. He once competed before a crowd of 220,000 spectators (a world first) at the West African Motocross des Nations, which he won five times.
The name "Barriere" is known all around West Africa. An inspiration to thousands of fans of all ages, Christophe is renowned for his impeccable riding techniques, and he has trained many riders in Africa, California and now an accredited motorcycle coach in Australia.
In 2006, he entered the Dakar for the first time. "I thought I was mentally and physically prepared, "he says now. "But nothing can prepare you for the unpredictability of the environment - that's what has millions of viewers glued to their seats all round the world."
Despite suffering major injuries in 2006, he set out again in 2007 and finished 64th overall, 25th in the super-production category, and 1st Australian from 248 starters. In August 2006, he scored his first world championship points at the Sertoes Rally in Brazil despite suffering 4 days of food poisoning (unable to eat or drink) out of the 9 day rally. As anyone who has met him, Christophe is charismatic, likeable and intelligent. But it is his innate courage and tenacity that allow him to compete in the world's greatest off-road racing events.
Christophe utilizes these qualities in his day-to-day business life. His successful business consulting company BvW Global helps companies achieve total business optimization - to be "the best they possibly can".
Christophe is also a magnet for the media, who appreciate his articulate expression, sincerity and sense of humour. Since 2005, he has brought a new dimension to the Australian coverage of the Dakar, working with TV networks to give an intimate, behind the scenes view. He has high profile media commitments with Fox Sports and SBS in Australia in 2009/2010.