Dakar Rally Winners – Motorcycles

The idea for the Dakar began in 1977 when Thierry Sabine got lost on his motorbike in the Libyan desert during the Abidjan-Nice Rally. After being saved he returned to France still enthralled by the wild landscape and promised himself he would share his fascination with the world. The Paris-Dakar race became the world’s most famous rally.

Sabine died in a helicopter crash in 1986 but his legend lives on.

Motorcycles took part since the first Dakar Rally, 1979.

*Thierry Sabine during 1986 Paris-Alger-Dakar rally.*

Year Route
Winner – Motorcyle

2021 Saudi Arabia
Kevin Benavides (Argentina) Monster Energy Honda

2020 Saudi Arabia
Ricky Brabec (USA) Honda CRF 450 Rally

2019 Peru
Toby Price (Australia) KTM 450 Rally

2018 Peru – Argentina – Bolivia – Argentina
Matthias Walkner (Austria) KTM 450 Rally

2017 Paraguay – Argentina – Bolivia – Argentina
Sam Sunderland (UK) KTM 450 Rally

2016 Argentina – Bolivia – Argentina
Toby Price (Australia) KTM 450 Rally

2015 Argentina – Chile – Argentina
Marc Coma (SPA) KTM 450 Rally

2014 KTM 450 Rally Argentina – Bolivia – Chile
Marc Coma (SPA)

2013 KTM 450 Rally Peru – Argentina – Chile
Cyril Despres (FRA)

2012 Mar del Plata–Copiapó–Lima
Cyril Despres (FRA) KTM 450 Rally

2011 Buenos Aires – Arica – Buenos Aires
Marc Coma (SPA) KTM 450 Rally

2010 Buenos Aires – Antofagasta – Buenos Aires
Cyril Despres (FRA) KTM 690 Rally

2009 Buenos Aires – Valparaiso – Buenos Aires
Marc Coma (SPA) KTM 690 Rally

2008 No race due to concern of Islamic terrorist attack along the route.

2007 Lisboa – Dakar
Cyril Despres (FRA) KTM 690 Rally

2006 Lisboa – Dakar
Marc Coma (SPA) KTM LC4 660R

2005 Barcelona – Dakar
Cyril Despres (FRA) KTM LC4 660R

2004 Clermont-Ferrand – Dakar
Nani Roma (SPA) KTM LC4 660R

2003 Marseille – Sharm el Sheikh
Richard Sainct (FRA) KTM LC4 660R

2002 Arras – Madrid – Dakar
Fabrizio Meoni (ITA) KTM LC8 950R

2001 Paris – Dakar
Fabrizio Meoni (ITA) KTM LC4 660R

2000 Paris – Dakar – Cairo
Richard Sainct (FRA) BMW F650RR

1999 Granada – Dakar
Richard Sainct (FRA) BMW F650RR

1998 Paris – Granada – Dakar
Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA) Yamaha YZE850T

*Stéphane Peterhansel, Dakar winner 6 times on motorcycles and 7 times in cars*

1997 Dakar – Agades – Dakar
Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA) Yamaha YZE850T

1996 Granada – Dakar
Edi Orioli (ITA) Yamaha YZE850T

1995 Granada – Dakar
Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA) Yamaha YZE850T

1994 Paris – Dakar – Paris
Edi Orioli (ITA) Cagiva Elefant 900

1993 Paris – Tanger – Dakar
Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA) Yamaha YZE850T

1992 Paris – Sirte – Cape Town
Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA) Yamaha YZE850T

1991 Paris – Tripoli – Dakar
Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA) Yamaha YZE750T

1990 Paris – Tripoli – Dakar
Edi Orioli (ITA) Cagiva Elefant 900

1989 Paris – Tunis – Dakar
Gilles Lalay (FRA) Honda NXR750V

1988 Paris – Algiers – Dakar
Edi Orioli (ITA) Honda NXR750V

1987 Paris – Algiers – Dakar
Cyril Neveu (FRA) Honda NXR750V

*Cyril Neveu Honda NXR750V Dakar winner 1987. He also won in 1979, 1980, 1982 and 1986.*

1986 Paris – Algiers – Dakar
Cyril Neveu (FRA) Honda NXR750V

1985 Paris – Algiers – Dakar
Gaston Rahier (BEL) BMW GS980R

1984 Paris – Algiers – Dakar
Gaston Rahier (BEL) BMW GS980R

1983 Paris – Algiers – Dakar
Hubert Auriol (FRA) BMW GS980R

1982 Paris – Algiers – Dakar
Cyril Neveu (FRA) Honda XL500R

1981 Paris – Algiers – Dakar
Hubert Auriol (FRA) BMW GS800R

1980 Paris – Algiers – Dakar
Cyril Neveu (FRA) Yamaha XT500

1979 Paris – Algiers – Dakar
Cyril Neveu (FRA) Yamaha XT500

Dakar official website

Also see Dakar Rally winner – Cars