Stéphane Peterhansel remembers René Metge: “Seeing him win the Paris-Dakar with the Porsche, a very strong image”

René Metge has died this Wednesday, January 3 at the age of 82. The three-time winner of the Paris-Dakar (1981,1984, 1986 and XNUMX) left his mark on a whole generation of adventurers. rally-raid, like Stéphane Peterhansel. " Sir Dakar Rally », with 14 successes in the event (6 on motorcycles, 8 on cars), paid tribute shortly before the pre-race briefing for the Dakar 2024:

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" It is not easy. René I remember seeing him win the Paris-Dakar with the Porsche on my television, it was a very strong image. As an organizer he was someone who tried to be innovative, notably by taking us to China and Mongolia. It was he who launched all this fashion in these Asian territories. René always had a smile, super professional, thinking of both amateurs and professionals.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that history repeats itself, but three years ago, it was already during the Dakar that Hubert Auriol (winner of the Paris-Dakar on two and four wheels, then Director of the ordeal. Editor’s note) is gone. It’s as if it was a sign that these rally-raid figures were waiting for the Dakar to be in the starting blocks before leaving.

Thanks to him we did one of the most extraordinary races, Paris-Moscow-Beijing in 1992, a journey of 17 km, the longest race of my career. There were small pitfalls, problems, floods but he managed on site, always with professionalism and a smile. He was a great gentleman, a very great gentleman. We must not forget that he rode at a very high level at the 24 Hours of Le Mans also. He was finally a real competitor, very talented and above all very human. »