May, we decided with my dad, who was my mechanic, to go back to GP’s. We travelled with our car and a little trailer to Karlovac in Yugoslavia, a very long trip. It was a memorable day for me, as I won the GP with a second and an eighth position. On our way back to France we made a stop at the Maico factory, and suddenly I got some factory parts for the rest of the season,” remembers Daniel. Racing GP’s until the end of his international career in 1982, Daniel got some other titles and podiums in France, where he was a real example for all the young riders as he was the first French rider to focus on GP’s. “For me the goal was always to race GP’s, as it’s the pinnacle of our sport, and I was the first Frenchie to be so motivated by the GP’s and when I look behind me, I’m really proud to see that so many French riders have achieved so great results in Motocross,” he comments. Despite not having won any other GP, or even stood on GP podiums, he showed to many young kids that everything is possible if you work hard and trust in your abilities. “When I started racing Motocross two riders inspired me,” says Jacky Vimond, who became the first French World Champion with a 250cc title in 1986. “It was Daniel Pean and Jean Jacques Bruno, who later became the first French rider to win a 500cc GP in 1979. I learned so much watching them and racing against them, it helped me to become stronger,” says Jacky, who is currently working closely with Jeremy Seewer. For Daniel motocross remains always in his life, as he is still active in our sport taking care of young riders in East of France. Text and Photos: Pascal Haudiquert
80
1996:
2nd in the French Junior Championship (Husqvarna)
1973:
26th in the 500 World Championship (Maico) 5th at the Trophy of Nations 250 with Team France
1974:
2nd in the 250 French Championship (Maico) 26th in the 500 World Championship 6th at the Motocross of Nations with Team France
1975:
250 French Champion (Maico) 18th in the 250 World Championship
1976:
250 French Champion (Maico) Winner of the Enduro du Touquet 12th in the 250 World Championship
1977:
2nd in the 250 French Championship (Maico) 16th in the 250 World Championship. Win one GP 6th at the Motocross of Nations with Team France
1978:
250 French Champion (Maico) 17th in the 250 World Championship 8th at the Motocross of Nations with Team France
1979:
3rd in the 250 French Championship (Montesa- Kawasaki) 34th in the 250 World Championship
1981:
5th in the 500 French Championship (Kawasaki) 8th at the Motocross of Nations with Team France
1982:
2nd in the 250 French Championship (Kawasaki) 24th in the 250 World Championship
