Save for 2021, Guillaume Chollet has raced the Dakar Rally every year since 2016. The grind will pay off in 2026 when he makes his tenth start, which earns him “Dakar Legend” status.

Dakar Legend is a designation that all competitors get when they race the Dakar at least ten times. Legends earn perks like priority at signup and a discount at registration; for the 2026 Dakar, the discount is 900 euros.

Chollet made his debut in 2026, finishing 65th overall. He retired from the 2018, 2020, and 2023 races, while this year’s edition saw his best finish to date. Racing for Xraids Experience, Chollet finished 41st in Rally2 and 51st overall. He missed the 2021 race due to injury.

While 2025 was his best finish, he had to fight for every position. Chollet fell multiple times in the early stages and suffered a speeding penalty on the very first leg. Despite the tribulations, he finished as high as 44th in class in Stage 9 and successfully completed the race.

His previous best was a 59th overall (43th in Rally2) in 2024.

“Each edition is a unique adventure, filled with challenges, doubts, immense joys, and memories etched forever,” Chollet recalled. “Ten participations means ten times the dream, ten times the passion, ten times the surpassing of oneself.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me since day one, to my team, my loved ones, my partners. Without you, nothing would be possible.

“The desire is stronger than ever. Heading for the sand, the tracks, and the unknown of the greatest rally raid in the world.”

The 2026 Dakar Rally runs January 3–17.