Despres joined a very impressive list of four times winners in Cyril Neveu (1979, 80, 86 and 87) and Edi Orioli (1988, 90, 94 and 96). The only rider ahead of him now is Dakar King Stephane Peterhansel, who has won the event six times (1991, 92, 93, 95, 97 and 98)

Former Dakar winners

2012 2 Cyril DESPRES (FRA), KTM 450 Rally Mar del Plata - Copiapo - Lima
2011 1 Marc COMA (SPA), KTM 450 Rally Buenos Aires - Arica - Buenos Aires
2010 2 Cyril DESPRES (FRA), KTM 690 Rally Buenos Aires - Antofagasta - Buenos Aires
2009 2 Marc COMA (SPA), KTM 690 Rally Buenos Aires - Valparaiso - Buenos Aires
2008 - 2007 2 Cyril DESPRES (FRA), KTM 690 Rally Lisboa - Dakar
2006 2 Marc COMA (SPA), KTM LC4 660R Lisboa - Dakar
2005 2 Cyril DESPRES (FRA), KTM LC4 660R Barcelona - Dakar
2004 4 Nani ROMA (SPA), KTM LC4 660R Clermont-Ferrand - Dakar
2003 3 Richard SAINCT (FRA), KTM LC4 660R Marseille - Sharm el Sheikh
2002 1 Fabrizio MEONI (ITA), KTM LC8 950R Arras - Madrid - Dakar
2001 3 Fabrizio MEONI (ITA), KTM LC4 660R Paris - Dakar
2000 1 Richard SAINCT (FRA), BMW F650RR Paris - Dakar - Cairo
1999 12 Richard SAINCT (FRA), BMW F650RR Granada - Dakar
1998 1 Stephane PETERHANSEL (FRA), Yamaha YZE850T Paris - Granada - Dakar
1997 1 Stephane PETERHANSEL (FRA), Yamaha YZE850T Dakar - Agades - Dakar
1996 3 Edi ORIOLI (ITA), Yamaha YZE850T Granada - Dakar
1995 4 Stephane PETERHANSEL (FRA), Yamaha YZE850T Granada - Dakar
1994 92 Edi ORIOLI (ITA), Cagiva Elefant 900 Paris - Dakar - Paris
1993 1 Stephane PETERHANSEL (FRA), Yamaha YZE850T Paris - Tanger - Dakar
1992 30 Stephane PETERHANSEL (FRA), Yamaha YZE850T Paris - Sirte - Cape Town
1991 80 Stephane PETERHANSEL (FRA), Yamaha YZE750T Paris - Tripoli - Dakar
1990 92 Edi ORIOLI (ITA), Cagiva Elefant 900 Paris - Tripoli - Dakar
1989 100 Gilles LALAY (FRA), Honda NXR750V Paris - Tunis - Dakar
1988 83 Edi ORIOLI (ITA), Honda NXR750V Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1987 95 Cyril NEVEU (FRA), Honda NXR750V Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1986 95 Cyril NEVEU (FRA), Honda NXR750V Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1985 101 Gaston RAHIER (BEL), BMW GS980R Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1984 101 Gaston RAHIER (BEL), BMW GS980R Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1983 100 Hubert AURIOL (FRA), BMW GS980R Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1982 95 Cyril NEVEU (FRA), Honda XL500R Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1981 100 Hubert AURIOL (FRA), BMW GS800R Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1980 50 Cyril NEVEU (FRA), Yamaha XT500 Paris - Algiers - Dakar
1979 12 Cyril NEVEU (FRA), Yamaha XT500 Paris - Algiers - Dakar