L'an passé, les deux Gardois étaient montés tous les deux sur le podium en Challenger (T3). DPPI – ASO
Adrien will be co-driver in the Ultimate premier class of this Dakar 2025 (January 3-17), while Michaël will try to guide Yasir Seaidan to the top in Challenger.
The Dakar is an adventure that is sometimes experienced as a family. This is the case for Adrien and Michaël Metge, on their way to Bisha (Saudi Arabia) where the 2025 edition will start this Friday, January 3. The Gardois, who cut their teeth on motorcycles before moving on to cars, are also the only brothers to both occupy the role of co-driver.
They will therefore have similar work to do during the 8,000 or so kilometres to cover until the finish in Shubaytah on the 17th. “We talk a lot about the challenges of navigation, for example the relationship to have between the driver and the co-driver, and I think that was useful to us”, Adrien emphasizes.
The two men were opponents last year, and both even got on the podium in Challenger (T3). This year they will compete in two different categories.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000Michaël very close to victory in 2024
The elder of the two, Michaël is also the most experienced in rally-raid. He already has ten Dakars under his belt, including seven on a motorbike (best result: 11th in 2016) and three in a car (best result: second SSV in 2024).
The 45-year-old from Nîmes has proven himself as a co-driver, a job in which his biker background is a plus. At the time, he had to find his way alone, sometimes with few tracks in front of him, reading the road book at the same time as he drove. An experience that appeals to car drivers, who are fond of these profiles of former bikers.
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Guiding the Swiss Jérôme de Sadeleer to safety last year, Michaël came within two minutes of the SSV victory, snatched by his compatriot Xavier de Soultrait. He then joined Yasir Seaidan, and won with him the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and the Rally of Morocco.
The Saudi climbs a category and now drives in Challenger, in the Taurus T3 of the French team BBR. A transfer that he wanted to make with the southerner. “I am happy to have Michaël with me. He is a good co-driver and a good friend, rejoices an ambitious man. I dream of winning the Dakar at home.”
In the big league
For the youngest, Adrien, this 2025 edition is already his eighth. Five times at the start on a motorbike, the Gardois managed to climb up to 11th place (2016). Like his brother, his reconversion to four wheels was in co-driving. He was alongside Yasir last year, and guided him to third place in the Dakar SSV, one place behind Michaël.
Still a biker, Adrien won the Brazilian rally-raid championship. It is also with a Brazilian, Marcelo Gastaldi, that he will compete from 3 to 17. This will be a first for him in Ultimate, the top class of auto competition. Gastaldi is making his return to the category at the wheel of the new Century CR7. There will be a lot to learn but Adrien is up for the challenge.
“I haven't ridden with him or in the car yet, so the on-site testing will be important, but I'm not worried. Marcelo is a very good and experienced rider, the new car performed well in Morocco and I'm looking forward to it. It's obviously going to be faster than in SSV, but when you're riding a motorcycle at a high level, it takes a lot to scare you!”