Despres explores the West ahead of Australasian Safari

Despres said that in his ten years of touring, during which he had visited thirty to forty countries, his visit to Rottnest Island was one of his top three experiences - besides racing.

"Snorkelling Rottnest's bays and seeing sea lions was a real highlight - I couldn't believe the experience and an island like this could exist. Cycling is part of my training for competition, so I felt a real connection here since bicycle is the main mode of transport around the island."

Today, Despres takes to the outback to compete in the Australasian Safari, the toughest endurance motorsport event in the Asia Pacific Region. This year's Safari will be the Dakar Champion's first Australian event, as he takes on some of the World's harshest desert landscapes in the WA outback.

The 2011 Australasian Safari begins today with a ceremonial start at Hillarys Boat Harbour, with overnight stops in Geraldton for Prologue (Friday 23rd September), then Mount Magnet (Saturday 24th September), Sandstone (Sunday 25th September), two nights in Laverton (Monday 26th / Tuesday 27th September), two nights in Leonora (Wednesday 28th / Thursday 29th September) before finishing in Kalgoorlie on Friday 30th September.

Despres plans to do further touring in Kalgoorlie when he completes the outback race, before returning to his home country of France. He also expressed a desire to return to Western Australia in the future to enjoy a holiday with his family.