A big change for Alexandre Giroud

January 2 ^nd 2025 - 14:53 [GMT + 3]

Following Simon Vitse, who made the switch to the Ultimate class in 2021, and Nicolás Cavigliasso, who entered the Challenger class in 2023, this year it is the turn for Manuel Andújar and Alexandre Giroud to make the big leap from the quad to the car category. It has to be said that this was somewhat of a forced change for the two great rivals, since their former category has lost its place on the Dakar. For the Argentinean two times winner (in 2021 and 2024), he will be behind the wheel of a Can-Am SSV for the South Racing team. As for the Frenchman, also a double victor (in 2022 and 2023), he will be in the Challenger category driving an OT3 for the G Rally Team. “Quad racing is still my passion,” says Giroud. “What’s more, I’m still an official Yamaha quad rider for the rest of the season. However, after two triumphs and three podium finishes, it was time for a new challenge. The choice of the Challenger class couldn't have come at a better time”. Although he is not starting from scratch, Alexandre knows he will have a lot to learn this year. “I’ll be taking starter’s orders with lots of humility, but I still have the advantage of knowing the rally very well. I know better than others that the Dakar is a waiting game”. For his co-pilot, he has chosen Jeremy Jacomelli, a friend who has long been a member of his entourage: “I could have chosen an experienced co-pilot, but since I’ve previously done it all by myself, I prefer to keep an eye on the navigation. We’ve worked a lot with Jeremy so he knows just exactly what information to give to me”. For the rest, he underlines that it will be about enjoying himself: “This vehicle is like a big quad. There is a steering wheel instead of the handlebars and pedals, but I’ve always been on four wheels. It can skid around and gobble up obstacles”. With Manuel Andújar taking part in the SSV category, the Frenchman will not be directly doing battle with his eternal rival. However, he will be up against another Argentinean former quad race winner, namely Nicolás Caviglissio, who made the change two years earlier than him and finished last season in 2nd place in the class on the W2RC.