St. Bruno, QC, January 20, 2013 – Aldo Racing/KTM Canada rider Patrick Beaulé today became the first Canadian to complete the grueling Dakar Rally on both a motorcycle and in a car. The Quebec native rode a KTM 450 Rally Replica motorcycle to 62nd place out of 125 finishers, and 196 starters of 2013 edition of the event 15 days ago. Patrick also finished last year with fellow Canadian David Bensadoun in the car category.

Patrick finished the event on the podium accompanied by his support crew from Rally Raid UK, his fellow Quebecois and head-mechanic JF Charlot, and his girlfriend of several years Frederique Saindon. On the finisher’s podium in front of thousands of spectators and a television audience, Beaule surprised all by proposing marriage to Saindon. She accepted.

“I came here to the Dakar and meet my goal of finishing well and of establishing a Canadian record. Mission accomplished!” said Beaule. “Along the way, there were of course many difficult moments, and they make you realize what the most important things are in life. Spending the rest of my life with Frede is one of them – I couldn’t think of a better time or place to ask her to marry me.” added Patrick.