Claude Monchaud
Born the 17 /08/1953 Donzère (Drôme)

Mechanics had been his passion since he was a child, so it was natural for him to move on to technical studies. Motorcycles, and more precisely side-cars, is what he came to practice with, toghether with the best pilot of that time, who brought him to the first step of the French Championships of 1953. The desire for travelling and his spirit for challenges brought him to sea. He was the photographer of the expedition.

Daniel Gazanion
Born the 10/07/1948 Aubenas (Ardèche)

Mechanics was no secret for him since his time studying at « L’Ecole de l’air de Rochefort ». Athletics and motor sports were his first passions; just like Claude, the side-car brought him to the first step of the French championship in 1974. He was the “strong man” of the expedition; he took care of the mechanics of the boat as well as the morale of the crew.

Michel Chopard
Born the 23/08/1953 Montélimar (Drôme)

Michel spent his childhood with Claude in Donzère. Toghether with his family, he left the region and came back in 1970. He was the one who wrote our “adventure” and you will discover his humour throughout this book.

Bruno Maroux
Born the 26/11/1953 Montélimar (Drôme)

Even if he studied to be a geometrician he had always implied that he is much better in sports than in studies. Apart from the others, his sport was not side-car but skiing, in which he reached a very high level. Bruno was the cameraman of our expedition.