It was a tough and long journey, but Matthieu Jauffraud will finally make his Dakar Rally debut in 2026.

The French enduro and motocross rider initially set his sights on the 2024 Dakar Rally, but his application was rejected by the ASO because he didn’t have enough desert rally experience. He then set his sights on the 2025 race, entering the 2023 Rallye du Maroc with the hope of being accepted.

However, he overshot a dune and crashed in Stage 2 of the RdM. leading to a ruptured Achilles and fractured tibia. The recovery prevented him from doing the 2024 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, but he signed up for the 2025 Dakar anyway for good measure. He was turned down again.

In May, Jauffraud returned to the World Rally-Raid Championship for the South African Safari Rally. Competing solo, he finished 11th in Rally2 and second among Malle Moto riders with a best run of ninth in Stage 5. This time, his effort was enough to convince the ASO to give him the thumbs up for 2026.

Soon after receiving his acceptance from the ASO, Jauffraud penned the following letter to his late father:

To my dad,

Today, I want to take a moment to thank you.
You are no longer here physically, but every day, I feel your presence in every move I make, in every kilometer I ride, in every decision I make.

You’re the one who passed on this burning passion for motorcycles to me.

From a very young age, you taught me to listen to the engine, to feel the terrain, to respect the machine. But much more than technique, you taught in me invaluable values: hard work, selflessness, and above all, perseverance.

You showed me, by example, that nothing is achieved without effort, that challenges are not walls but steps toward what truly matters.

It’s thanks to you, to your legacy, that I stood firm in times of doubt. That I found the strength to get back up when all seemed lost. That I pursued this dream until I achieved what every off-road rider hopes to one day achieve: qualifying for the Dakar Rally.

This legendary rally is a tribute to you.

Every grain of sand, every bend, every breath of wind in the desert will carry a little piece of you.

Thank you, Dad, for everything you taught me. This isn’t just a race. It’s our story.

Never Give Up.

Featured image credit: Horacio Cabilla / ASO