Clara Wagner is often lauded as the first woman to race a motorcycle—or at least the first documented woman to do so, as captured by many newspapers in 1910. But is she?
Clara Wagner: The First Woman to Race Motorcycles?
Daring Dames: The First Women Who Raced in the Dakar Rally
Marie Ertaud getting air during the Paris-Dakar in 1983
Seven women set out in the very first Dakar Rally… 47 years ago at the end of 1978. The Paris-Dakar was the brainchild of Thierry Sabine, who was inspired to start the event after he got lost in the desert while rally racing.
Some 48 years ago, a man named Thierry Sabine was racing in the deserts of Africa when he got lost. This was 1977– and as he sat alone in the dry land, likely thinking about the meaning of life, the universe, and everything… he was struck by an idea. This would make the perfect location for a classic rally race. The following year, at the end of December, the Paris Dakar rally was born. Also known as the Paris Dakar, the Dakar Rally, and just ‘the Dakar,’ the unforgettable event has been going strong for 47 years. The route has changed, but the premise remains: see who can get across the grueling dunes and rocks of seemingly endless barren lands.
The first Paris-Dakar Rally flyer 1979
The first Paris Dakar rally began in its namesake Paris, and all seven women riders were French. 182 vehicles left the starting line, 90 of which were motorcycles. After a grueling 6,200 mi (10,000 km) race, only 74 crossed the finish line. Of those 74, 34 were motorcycles.
- Martine de Cortanze (#41): Riding a Honda 250 XLS, she made history as the first woman to cross the Dakar finish line, placing 19th overall and beating 55 other riders. She would return on a Yamaha 500 the following year, then back to a 250 in 1981. Martine was also featured in the BBC documentary “Madness in the Desert,” released in 2013. She garnered a lot of attention compared to the six other ladies, even starring in a photoshoot promoting her return in 1980.
- Marie Ertaud (#29): Despite struggling with a Yamaha 500 XT that was too large for her frame, she powered through to finish 34th. While she may have temporarily regretted bringing a larger bike, Marie returned with the same bike the following year. In 1983, she rode a Yamaha XT 550 and was the first woman to cross the finish line in 15th place.
- Christine Martin (#43): Her race ended early when her Honda 250 XLS broke in half at the panniers. From Dakar Dantan, “It was the Bamako-Nioro stage that finished off my bike. The frame was broken in 2 at the luggage rack because there was too much overhang at the rear.” (Translated from French.)
- Martine Renier (#88): Riding a Guzzi 500 TT, she was part of the MotoGuzzi France team that was formed at the last minute… about two months before the start of Dakar. The five stock motorbikes were purpose-built by the Levallois workshop. Aimed to be desert beasts, they fell very short of their intended purpose due to alloy rims tested on rocks but not sand. Four of five machines faced catastrophic mechanical failures and did not finish. In fact, four of the machines were cannibalized so that the final Guzzi could cross the finish line. Martine threw in the towel in the town of In Salah, Algeria.
- Pascale Geurie (#42): Also known as Marie-Pascale Geurie. She persevered to finish 45th on her Honda 250 XLS. Information on her experience in the Paris-Dakar is lacking. Pascale also raced Le Mans in 1978.
- Marie-Dominique Cousin (#44): Also known as Marido Cousin, little information is available about her first experience racing Dakar. She started on a Yamaha 500 XT and did not finish.
- Corinne Koppenhague (#1): Also known as Corinne Koppenhague-Tarnaud or Corinne Tanaud (maiden name). Despite riding for 10 hours with a broken foot, she could not complete the race on her Suzuki 370 SP.
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- Christine Martin in 1979
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- Martine de Cortanze at the finish line in 1979
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- Pascale Geurie 1979
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- Marie Ertaud portrait
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- Christine Martin in 1979
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- Martine Renier on her Guzzi 500TT
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- Martine de Cortanze in a 1980 promo photoshoot for her return to Dakar
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- Christine Martin in 1983
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- Marie Ertaud in 1983
All seven of these formidable women returned to race Dakar at a later date, some for years and years to come. Some returned on motorcycles, and others came back with four wheels and a co-driver. For instance, Marido returned as co-driver in a Toyota FJ Cruiser with Corinne Koppenhague.
Since the inaugural Paris-Dakar rally, women have won stages and the Dakar overall. “Miss Dakar” Jutta Kleinschmidt won a stage in 1998 and in 2001 took first place overall. Last year, in 2024, 32-year-old Cristina Gutiérrez won The Dakar with co-driver Pablo Moreno. She has returned and is racing again RIGHT NOW. Good luck, Christina.
Martine Cortanze ar the Paris Dakar finish line in 1979
Photos: dakardantan.com | archives
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Posted on January 9, 2025 in History, MotoLadies, Racing by Alicia Mariah Elfving