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| Cyril Despres | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cyril Despres |
| Birth date | 24 January 1974 |
| Birth place | Hautes-Alpes, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Teams | KTM, Yamaha, Peugeot Sport, Team Peugeot Total |
| Wins | Multiple Dakar Rally, Merzouga Rally, FIM Rally-Raid events |
| Championships | Dakar Rally (Motorbike) 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013 |
Cyril Despres is a French rally-raid competitor and former professional motorcycle racer best known for multiple overall victories in the Dakar Rally. Emerging from the alpine region of Hautes-Alpes, Despres became a dominant figure in long-distance off-road competition, racing for major manufacturers such as KTM, Yamaha, and later joining Peugeot Sport in the car category. His career spans two decades of participation in international rally events including the Dakar Rally, Rallye du Maroc, and the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship.
Born in 1974 in the department of Hautes-Alpes, Despres grew up in a part of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur known for alpine terrain and outdoor sports associated with regions like Briançon and Gap. Early exposure to motorcycling and mountain activities intersected with local motorsport culture influenced by events such as the Rallye des Alpes and clubs affiliated with the Fédération Française de Motocyclisme. He began competing in national enduro and motocross circuits that connected him to broader European series including competitions in Italy, Spain, and Belgium. Contacts with established rally-raid figures and teams led to participation in cross-country rallies organized under the auspices of the FIM and event promoters who managed stages in North Africa and South America.
Despres established himself in motorcycle rally-raid beginning with entries in the Dakar Rally during the early 2000s, riding for manufacturers such as KTM alongside rivals from teams like Honda, Yamaha, and privateer entries. He won his first Dakar title in 2005, competing against notable riders including Marc Coma, Roberto Caro, and former champions from Germà circuits and Portuguese competitors. Over the following years, Despres claimed multiple Dakar victories (2007, 2010, 2012, 2013) and consistently featured in podium battles at events such as the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Pharaohs Rally, and the Rallye du Maroc. He contributed to KTM’s dominance in cross-country motorcycling, often contending with factory-backed entries from Kawasaki and private teams representing national federations. His motorcycle career was characterized by endurance across stages in terrains ranging from the dunes of Sahara rallies to high-altitude passes featured in South American editions of the Dakar in Argentina and Chile.
After a high-profile split with KTM, Despres switched disciplines, testing prototype vehicles developed by manufacturers such as Peugeot Sport and competing in four-wheel categories against teams including MINI, Toyota Gazoo Racing, and factory-supported entries from X-Raid. Joining Team Peugeot Total for the 2015 season, he transitioned to navigation and driving roles in the Dakar Rally and other cross-country events like the Silk Way Rally and Africa Eco Race. As a driver and co-driver, Despres adapted techniques from motorcycle navigation to cockpit teamwork, engaging with engineers and designers at organizations such as Bosch and suppliers linked to rally development. His car-phase career also saw entries in events promoted by organizers of the World Rally-Raid Championship.
Despres’ palmarès centers on five overall Dakar Rally wins (2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013), placing him among elite competitors such as Stéphane Peterhansel and Marc Coma. He added multiple stage victories across Dakar editions and clinched overall titles and podiums in the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship and national classics like the Merzouga Rally. His successes contributed to manufacturer championships for KTM and later competitive results for Peugeot Sport when he entered four-wheel competition. Despres set records for consistency in stage wins and for cumulative time advantages in several Dakar editions, often outperforming teams fielded by Red Bull-sponsored riders and factory squads from Yamaha and Honda.
Despres became known for a navigation-first approach, blending precise roadbook interpretation with aggressive pace management used by contemporaries such as Nani Roma and Carlos Sainz. On two wheels he favored a technique balancing dune momentum with controlled cornering reminiscent of methods used by veteran riders from Italy and Spain. In four-wheel competition he adapted motorcycle-derived navigation instincts to co-driver coordination dynamics typical of teams like X-Raid and Toyota Gazoo Racing. He emphasized meticulous preparation with stage reconnaissance when permitted, working with technicians from Michelin and suspension specialists to set up machines for variable terrain including dunes, gravel, and rocky boulder fields found in rallies hosted by Peru, Bolivia, and Morocco.
Off-track, Despres has remained involved in motorsport through ambassadorial roles with brands and collaborations with organizations such as FIM-affiliated initiatives, training programs at riding schools inspired by alpine clubs, and charity events benefiting regional causes in Hautes-Alpes. He has participated in manufacturer promotional campaigns for KTM and Peugeot, and engaged in media coverage with outlets that follow events like the Dakar Rally and the World Rally-Raid Championship. Despres maintains connections with peers across disciplines, including former rivals and teammates, and has taken part in development testing for rally-raid projects with technical partners and suppliers drawn from European motor sport industries.
Category:French motorcycle racers Category:Rally raid drivers Category:1974 births Category:Living people