Who is Gautier Paulin? From motocross to rally-raid, when talent knows no limits
9 July 2026
For nearly twenty years, Gautier Paulin established himself as one of the leading figures in world motocross. MX2 European Champion, multiple Grand Prix winner, and five-time consecutive Motocross of Nations winner with Team France, the Frenchman has built one of the most impressive track records of his generation.
But in 2025, he decided to take on a brand-new challenge by joining the Yamaha Ténéré Rally Team, the official Yamaha team competing in rally-raid. Riding the Yamaha Ténéré 700 Rally, Gautier discovered a discipline where speed is no longer enough: you also have to master navigation, race strategy, and mechanical management over several days of competition.
A transition that could have required several seasons of adaptation. Yet, in just a few rallies, Gautier Paulin has already established himself as a promising rider in the discipline.
Gautier Paulin's Achievements
Before discovering rally-raid, Gautier Paulin built an exceptional track record in motocross:
European Champion MX2 (2007)
12 Grand Prix victories
30 heat wins
64 podiums in the World Championship
Five consecutive victories at the Motocross of Nations (2014 to 2018), a record for a French rider
Winning Team Manager of the Motocross of Nations with Team France in 2023
Carta Rally 2025: A Promising Debut
The 2025 Carta Rally marked Gautier Paulin‘s rally-raid debut with the Yamaha Ténéré Rally Team. In his very first participation, the French rider already reached the podium, finishing third overall with the Ténéré 700 Rally.
As the kilometers went by, he progressed rapidly in navigation and reading the roadbook. At the end of the event, he reflected on his learning process:
Gautier Paulin: “This rally was a great experience. We made huge progress with the bike and confirmed all the work done on its reliability. I am very proud of it, as I am of the whole team. I also improved a lot in navigation, especially in my roadbook reading and my ability to find my way in these vast open spaces facing the horizon. Despite the penalty, I learned a lot. I am still a rookie in this discipline, so managing to progress this much at each rally is really motivating. In the end, it was an extremely positive experience.”
More than the result, this statement highlights Gautier Paulin’s mindset. The Frenchman emphasizes his progression above all: understanding the roadbook, learning to navigate wide-open spaces, and continuing to gain experience with every rally.
Africa Eco Race 2026: The Confirmation
A few months later, Gautier Paulin started his first Africa Eco Race on a motorcycle, only his second rally-raid.
Riding the Yamaha Ténéré 700 Rally, he set off on one of the most legendary rally-raids. The event connects Tangier to Dakar, Senegal, crossing Morocco and Mauritania, with over two weeks of racing in extreme conditions.
Despite his lack of experience, Gautier impressed. He won three stages and finished second in the general classification, just 41 seconds behind the winner Kevin Gallas.
A remarkable performance for a first-time participant.
Upon arriving on the shores of the legendary Lac Rose in Dakar, the emotion was immense:
Gautier Paulin: “What an incredible way to finish an exceptional race! Riding along the beach with my teammates was a magical moment, and crossing the finish line at the legendary Lac Rose was a dream I’ve had since childhood, when I watched the first Paris-Dakar rallies with my father. These past two weeks have been extraordinary. The bike was perfect, the team was great, and I met people who will remain friends for life. Finishing in second place is also a huge satisfaction, especially for my very first participation in the Africa Eco Race on a bike. A big thank you to the whole team and to Yamaha for this incredible adventure. I can’t wait to do it again!”
A Promising Future
In just two rally-raids, Gautier Paulin has already established himself as a promising rider in the discipline. He has several stage wins and two overall podiums, including a remarkable second place during the Africa Eco Race 2026.
Following this performance, the Frenchman took the start of the Carta Rallye 2026, his third rally-raid. Once again, he confirmed his full potential by finishing 3rd in the general classification, behind his teammate Kevin Gallas, who took second place.
A lightning-fast adaptation on the Yamaha Ténéré 700, which testifies to the rider’s adaptability and talent.
After making motocross history, Gautier Paulin is now writing a new chapter of his career with the Yamaha Ténéré Rally Team on the biggest international rally-raids.
