Anthony Raynard is heading to the Dakar Rally in 2026 after getting his acceptance letter from the ASO.

Raynard is a decorated motocross rider with four championships in his native South Africa, ten Western Cape Regional MX crowns, and even three supercross titles in India. The Johannesburg native has also represented South Africa at the Motocross of Naions in 2017 and 2019.

In May, Raynard made his World Rally-Raid Championship debut when the series came to his home country for the inaugural South African Safari Rally. Despite being relatively new to rally raids and riding with a hand injury, he scored a solid 12th-place run in Rally2 with top-ten stage finishes across the first three legs, highlighted by a sixth in Stage 1.

Raynard wrote on social media after his acceptance:

This journey is about so much more than racing, it’s about stepping into the unknown, chasing growth, and pushing myself beyond comfort to discover what I’m truly capable of.

Motocross has given me so much, but Dakar is a whole new world, a challenge that excites me and scares me in equal measure.

That’s exactly why I have to do it.

One of my biggest “why’s” has always been my family. My racing number, 23, carries a meaning that runs deep, it’s my mom’s date of birth. I lost her at a young age, and ever since, this number has been more than just digits on a bike. It’s been my anchor through the highs and darkest lows, a reminder of her strength, love, and presence that continues to guide me.

23 isn’t just my number, it’s part of who I am, and it will carry me into this next chapter.

Dakar 2026 isn’t just a race for me. It’s about honoring where I’ve come from, making my people proud, and proving to myself that no dream is too far when you’re willing to take the leap.

The road ahead will test me in ways I can’t yet imagine, but that’s exactly why I’m ready for it.

Outside of racing, he also works as a stunt rider.

Featured image credit: Irina Petrichei / Edophoto / DPPI / ASO