“I almost died. The light at the end of the tunnel is real and it exists. And I opened my eyes because there was more to do. That’s why I’m here.”

Probably so Dakar 2026’s most shocking stories. The main character, Mathieu Baumel. As co-driver of Nasser Al-Attiyah, he won the Dakar Rally four times until the two parted ways in early 2024. A year later, the French co-driver was heading to the Dakar Rally. Monte Carlo Rally. He saw a broken-down car parked on the side of the road and decided to show solidarity. He moved to the side and got down to help.

But then another vehicle hit him hard. There his life changed. He was about to die. It happened on January 29, 2025. What’s most incredible is that less than a year later, Mathieu was competing in the Dakar Rally in the highest automotive category, right next to driver Guillaume de Moebius.

This time, he embraced the new normal in a different way. He was in a coma for two days, fighting to save both legs. The right side was severed and the left side was also in danger, but in the end they were able to save it. He is now competing in the 2026 Dakar wearing a prosthetic leg made specifically for the needs of his job as a co-pilot.

own Baumel attended Sportish at the Dakar bivouac and explained his story.is less about grief than it is about resistance, overcoming, dreams, and struggles. Isn’t that the value of Dakar? So did Mr. Baumel, who did not hesitate to explain his story to the MD.

“I stopped to help people stopped on the side of the road. We park in front of cars and go out to help people fix their cars. Then another car hit everyone. I got stuck between the car and the truck in front of me. As a result, he lost his right leg and his left leg was completely destroyed. Additionally, I had some issues with my body, ribs and surrounding bones,” he elaborated.

“When I stopped to help the car, another car hit everyone. I got stuck between the car and the truck and lost my right leg, and my left leg was completely destroyed.”

Mathieu Baumel

“2025 has been a difficult year, but I was clear from the beginning that my goal was to be at the starting point of the Dakar. And indeed, my personal victory is to be here.” This is what we planned with Guillaume (De Möbius, the pilot) From the beginning immediately after the accident. He said to me, “I’ll be right back when you’re ready.” ”

Matthew shared that goal with his doctors. “They told me, ‘Okay, yes, we’ll help you.’ But they never believed that I was ready for that kind of surgery or that kind of problem. Usually it takes a year and a half to two years to recover and start doing something again. And six months later I was already in the car,” recalls Mathieu, who was dreaming of his second Dakar feat: winning a stage. Then, as fate would have it, de Möbius and Baumer won this stage one. It’s unbelievable.

“Recovery usually takes a year and a half or two years. Six months later I was already in a race car.”

Mathieu Baumel

But his greatest victory was over death. “On the night of the accident, there were four people like me in the same area. In three other accidents, people died. I was the only one who survived that night. I was in surgery for about eight hours. Then I was in a coma for two days and doctors I was able to think about what to do next. And when I woke up, my heart stopped twice. And twice, I don’t know why, but I came to my senses,” he told Sportish, leaving the journalist speechless. statement: “I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and this is true. It exists. It’s real. And I opened my eyes for myself because I think in my state of mind there was still work to be done. And that’s why I’m here today. That’s life.”explained in his heartbreaking story that he’s glad to be remembered because he knows it can inspire more people to continue pursuing their dreams despite the obstacles life throws at them.

“After that, you look at life differently, because yes, I almost died. So now my life is all a gift. It’s a gift to me, and it’s also a gift to my family to still have me at home. And nothing is impossible. nothing is impossible. “Never give up, always try hard, believe in yourself and do things.” The first officer commented that he wanted to use his story to help others.

“I was about to die. So now my whole life is a gift. Nothing is impossible.”

Mathieu Baumel

“No matter what happens in life, if you have a good mentality, it’s good to show everyone that.”goals and people around you, you can do a lot. Dakar is one of my challenges. I can say that I achieved it no matter what. His next challenge is to try skiing again, playing the sport like he used to (he was an instructor in the past). I’ve already ridden a little (using special cleats to attach to my prosthetic leg), but I’m sure I can do better. And in the future, my life will be different. But you can still think of doing a lot more. That’s the best way to deal with it,” he added.

special prosthetics

Mathieu He had to request that a custom-made prosthetic leg be made for his role as co-pilot. A prosthetic leg with a quick hook that can be removed with one hand in a specific place to hook between the driver and co-driver when entering the car. In the car, he only supports the ground with his left foot, Written by Möbius Run through the desert. and X Raid I had to adjust my seat.

The prosthesis also has other features. The lower part of the knee is made of carbon, which is both light and hard. on the other hand, The part that comes into contact with the seat is made of a material similar to silicone.to adapt to each movement. Mathieu smiles again with her