The motorcyclist squadron of the Republican Guard celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
Composed of 74 rigorously selected soldiers, the unit participates in the formal escort of the President of the Republic.
It also secures the transfer of particularly dangerous detainees, the transport of nuclear materials or the convoys of the Banque de France.
The bikers of the Republican Guard have also ensured the security of the Tour de France since 1953.
Suddenly, with a roar of motors, the motorcycles enter single file into the courtyard of the Célestins barracks in Paris.
The music sounds.
White helmet on the head, the fifteen gendarmes in pageantry who ride the powerful blue BMWs enter the dance.
No mistakes are allowed this Friday afternoon.
The show, prepared for several weeks, is precise.
For about fifteen minutes, the bikers pass and intersect, brush against and curl, in a space no larger than a supermarket car park.
Everyone is keen to show the handpicked guests (there was even Michel Drucker) the unique know-how of the prestigious motorcycle unit of the Republican Guard, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
"It was created in 1952 at the request of the President of the Republic at the time, when Orly airport was commissioned, to escort foreign heads of state to Paris, to the palace of the Elysée”, tells
20 Minutes
the commander of this motorized unit, Captain Jean-François.
The mission was previously devolved to the cavalry regiment of the Republican Guard, with a total of 450 soldiers.
But Orly being farther from the capital than Le Bourget airport, it became difficult to fill for traditional horse escorts.
At the beginning, ten motorcyclists made up the unit.
“I am a motorcycle enthusiast”
Today, the officer has under his command 74 bikers, around thirty on average, who have passed the difficult selection tests.
All were chosen for their skill and their ability to drive in all circumstances.
Among them, Maxime, 22, the youngest of the group.
The young man, originally from Ain, joined the unit last January, after passing the NCO competition.
“I have been passionate about motorcycling since I was very young, and I wanted to join the gendarmerie, he explains.
So it was a way for me to practice my passion while doing a job that I love.
»
Last Friday, at the Célestins barracks in Paris, the motorcycle squadron of the Republican Guard celebrated its 70th anniversary.
For the occasion, the members of the unit showed the extent of their talent.
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— Thibaut Chevillard (@TiboChevillard) September 26, 2022
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For his first mission, last July, Maxime participated in the escort of the President of the United Arab Emirates.
A “quite striking” memory for the young soldier.
About fifteen motorbikes preceded the procession by forming a V, thus protecting the vehicles which transported Mohamed ben Zayed from possible intrusions.
"We form a safety cage around the presidential car and we move forward, with very precise alignments to respect", he explains, stressing that the maneuver must imperatively be carried out "properly".
“The gendarmes are trained to react”
Because it's a bit like the image of France that is at stake. “Our mission is twofold, adds Captain Jean-François.
There is a formal mission, which consists in demonstrating the know-how of the Republican Guard.
But above all, we must ensure the safety of the Heads of State by being as close as possible to the vehicles.
“In the event of unforeseen events, “the gendarmes are trained to react.
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Among the other missions entrusted to this unit based in Dugny, in Seine-Saint-Denis, the escorts of detainees “particularly reported”, continues Captain Jean-François.
The motorcyclists of the Republican Guard, who are divided into three platoons, notably protected the prison convoy which transported Salah Abdeslam and the other defendants tried for the attacks of November 13 every day to the Paris courthouse.
In the summer, the unit is mobilized to supervise cycling races, in particular the Tour de France since 1953. "We secure all the races which depend, in France, on the UCI", specifies the head of the unit.
Records broken
Maxime dreams of joining the unit's acrobatics team, which regularly breaks world records, approved and listed in Guinness.
Voluntary, he passes the selection tests next October.
Among the feats of this group, the largest number of passengers on a single motorcycle (37 men), or the largest motorcycle pyramid (35 men on seven machines).
Breaking records, "it's ultimately part of the unit's DNA", observes Captain Jean-François.
“These are people who are very passionate about motorcycling, who are also players, and who have a great desire to do well.
So they like to take up challenges.
»
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