Francisco
López
Chile
Date of birth | 14 September 1975 |
|---|---|
Place of birth | Curicó |
Age | 50 |
Nationality | Chile |
Career start | 1988 |
Disciplines | Rally / Rally Raid Bike / Rally Raid Side By Side/Quad |
Francisco ‘Chaleco’ López made his name in the late 1980s by finishing first in the Latin American Motocross, setting him on a path to racing success. During the early ’90s, Chaleco competed in the 125cc category of the Chilean National Motocross Championship, where he consistently finished in the top three. This winning form was mirrored later, when he graduated to the 250cc class, which he won five times.
A glittering five years followed in which he cemented his reputation as one of the most talented riders in the business by finishing first in the 450cc category of Patagonia-Atacama Rally.
Embracing the ultimate test
López then chose to test his mettle at the famous Dakar Rally, recording numerous stage wins in 2010 as he placed third overall in the 450cc category, repeating the feat in 2013. During the 2014 rally, and despite placing second in both stage 2 and 4, he was forced to retire in the sixth stage after crashing out.
In 2019 the Dakar Rally was held in his home nation and the Chilean did not disappoint as he claimed the title in the SSV category. The following year he looked to defend the title in Saudi Arabia, but a mechanical issue on the final stage ruined his chances, meaning he was forced to settle for third place overall.
Dominating at the Dakar
In 2021, López competed in the Lightweight Vehicles category and claimed victory in commanding fashion, with a winning margin of more than 17 minutes.
López returned to the Dakar in 2022 and made it back-to-back side-by-side victories by following his T4 triumph with an overall win in the T3 category.
Chasing further glory
After finishing fifth overall in 2023 and then fourth the following year, López once again demonstrated remarkable consistency as he won five stages in 2025 to finish the race in second place overall.
In 2026, he returned to Saudi behind the wheel of Can-Am’s Maverick R machine and once again recorded a stage win before finishing in sixth place overall.
Chaleco López
© Alfred Jürgen Westermeyer/Red Bull Content Pool
Celebrating Desafio Ruta 40 victory in Argentina
© Kin Marcin/Red Bull Content Pool
Chaleco López lands on the dunes
© Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool
Chaleco López triumphs at the Dakar
© Flavien Duhamel/Red Bull Content Pool