FROM THE DESERT TO LEGENDS, THE ULTIMATE RALLY-RAID
From January 24 to February 7, 2026 – the great adventure from Tangier to Dakar
The Africa Eco Race is about to write a new chapter in its history. For its 17th edition, the legendary African rally-raid will feature a brand-new route, an unprecedented number of entrants, and a never-seen level of sporting intensity.
After crossing the Mediterranean aboard La Méridionale’s Massilia, the competitors will gather in Tangier, in northern Morocco, on January 24, 2026 for technical and administrative checks, followed by the start ceremony on January 25 and a prologue stage. From the very next day through February 7, 2026, the competitors will set off on nearly 6,000 kilometers of adventure, heading for the legendary shores of Lac Rose in Dakar, the cradle of the legend. A major sporting event organized under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
A brand-new route, a spectacular crossing of the Sahara
This renewal edition will begin with five stages in Morocco, through the desert and the majestic tracks of the Kingdom, before a rest day in Dakhla, the gateway to the deep South.
The rally will then head to Mauritania for five epic stages across endless dunes and raw, untamed landscapes, before a final stage in Senegal, between savannah and sand, all the way to Dakar.
A demanding and committed itinerary, true to the DNA of the Africa Eco Race: a human and sporting adventure in the footsteps of the great African rallies.
289 ENTRIES : AN EXCEPTIONAL LINE-UP
With 289 entries, Africa Eco Race 2026 boasts an unprecedented field, clear proof that the call of Africa and authentic rally-raid remains stronger than ever.
27 nationalities represented among competitors
104 motorcycles, including 40 in the Xtreme Rider by Motul category (the famous “Malle Moto”), for a raw, unassisted adventure. 1 quad will also enter the race
45 four-wheel vehicles, including 20 SSVs, a rapidly growing category
5 trucks, for a spectacular Trucks race
23 vehicles in the Historic category (22 cars and 1 truck), dating from 1970 to 2007
14 motorcycles and 13 cars in the RAID category, non-competitive, to experience rally-raid from the inside without the pressure of the clock
300 vehicles in total for competitors and assistance crews
A total caravan of 750 people: competitors, assistance teams, medical teams, race officials, volunteers, service providers, and organization staff
Nearly 80 vehicles dedicated to the organization
All categories are enjoying historic enthusiasm, confirming the unique appeal of the Africa Eco Race.
MOTORCYCLES : A SUMMIT DUEL AND FIERCE COMPETITION
The motorcycle race promises to be explosive, with the long-awaited duel between Jacopo Cerutti (Aprilia Tuareg), two-time reigning champion, and Alessandro Botturi (Yamaha Ténéré), also a two-time winner, who finished second behind Jacopo in the last two editions. Alessandro is determined to turn the tables.
Behind this head-to-head at the top, competition is expected to be particularly intense, with several riders openly aiming for victory. The reign of twin-cylinder bikes, dominant in recent editions, could well be challenged by highly motivated single-cylinder machines waiting in ambush…
Jean-Lou Lepan, Dakar finisher in 2022, 2023, and 2024, returning after a serious accident in 2024 at the Rallye du Maroc
Bruno Da Costa, with 7 Dakars to his name, entered on a Honda Transalp 750
David Frétigné, making his major racing comeback on a Honda 450; a key figure in Paris-Dakar history with 6 participations including a podium in 2004
Thomas Marini, the rider from San Marino, won the TransAnatolia Rally last September.
Gautier Paulin (Ténéré 700), five-time Motocross of Nations winner, 2015 MXGP World Championship runner-up, and winner of the Africa Eco Race 2024 in SSV
Kevin Gallas (Ténéré 700), enduro and rally-raid rider
Noa Sainct, son of three-time Dakar winner Richard Sainct, recent winner in his category at the 2025 Rallye du Maroc
Marc Jouaneau, former Suzuki factory rider, with 6 Dakars completed
Electric motorcycles take on rally-raid: innovation in action
Alongside combustion-engine bikes, the upcoming edition will mark a major milestone with the presence of three electric motorcycles. This commitment confirms the Africa Eco Race’s role as a true innovation laboratory, offering manufacturers a unique testing ground to confront their R&D results with the extreme conditions of rally-raid.
Cyril Forget will ride an Arctic Leopard E XE 880 Rally, Willy Jobard will pilot a similar bike powered by a Jinyuxing motor, while Marteen Buitenhuis will compete on a Havocker Electric Dirtbike powered by Velimotor.
Three electric powertrains designed by three different manufacturers, all aiming to reach Dakar in the best possible position.
These electric bikes will be supported by dedicated vehicles supplying batteries, to be changed every 100 km at pre-established checkpoints.
CARS: AMBITIOUS CREWS AND ANTICIPATED RETURNS
In the car category, the diversity of crews and the power of the machines promise an intense battle, combining victory ambitions, a spirit of revenge, and deep experience of African rally-raid.
Vincent Vroninks / Dave Berghmans (Nissan VK56, Belgium): after retiring in 2025, they return with firm ambitions to shine all the way to Lake Rose
Tomas Ourednicek / Lukas Bartak (Toyota, Czech Republic): also looking to bounce back after their 2025 retirement
Magdalena Zajac / Blazej Czekan (Toyota Hilux, Poland): 2025 finishers, returning to aim for the top of the standings
Andrea Schiumarini / Maurizio Gerini (Century CR6) : a four-time Dakar finisher with a podium in his category, Andrea arrives at the Africa Eco Race with big ambitions.
Feryn Rally Raid Team strongly represented with three cars at the start:
Land Cruiser 200: Cédric Feryn / Bjorn Burgelman
Toyota Hilux Overdrive: Pascal Feryn / Kurt Keysers
Toyota Hilux Overdrive: Koen Wauters / Tom De Leeuw
Yoshimasa Sugawara (Suzuki Jimny Sierra, Japan): at 85 years old, the living legend of rally-raid, who never missed a Dakar between 1983 and 2019 and has competed in every Africa Eco Race since 2022
SSV: THE DUEL OF CHAMPIONS AND EXPERIENCE AT THE FOREFRONT
Rapidly growing, the SSV category has become one of the most hotly contested arenas of the event, where performance, consistency, and strategy will make the difference. The 2025 podium is back for this new edition, but they will face a large and well-prepared field on the Saharan tracks.
Pierre Lafay / Gilles de Turckheim (Can-Am Maverick R): winners of the last Africa Eco Race, aiming to defend their title
Martijn Van Den Broek, second in 2025, returns with co-driver Mike Daas, both aboard their Can-Am Maverick R, determined to do at least as well
Philippe Champigné / Bruno Robin (Can-Am Maverick XRS), completing the 2025 podium, also return full of ambition
The Italian duo Enrico Gaspari / Paolo Ceci (Can-Am Maverick X3) will be able to rely on the experience gained across several World Rally-Raid Championship events to fuel their podium ambitions
Eric Bernard, former motorcycle champion with 8 Dakars, top 20 in the 2025 Africa Eco Race on a motorcycle, swaps handlebars for the steering wheel of a Can-Am Maverick R SSV—and returns more determined than ever
Slovak driver Martin Benco, after 5 Africa Eco Race participations on a motorcycle, also returns this year at the wheel of a Taurus T3 SSV
Competitors will also have to contend with the very experienced Romanian duo Nicu Duica / Nicoleta Duica (Can-Am Maverick), Moroccan driver Souad Mouktadiri and co-driver Anthony
Imbert (Can-Am Maverick X3 XRS), as well as Christophe Tesson (Yamaha YXZ 1000 R), who reached Dakar in the Raid category in the last edition, alongside his co-driver Marc Jourdan, a veteran of multiple international rally-raids
TRUCKS: FIVE TITANS BATTLE FOR THE TITLE
Spectacular and fearsomely efficient, rally-raid trucks will clash in a battle of titans, where mechanical reliability and human endurance will be decisive.
Rainbow Truck Team (Gerrit Zuurmond / Tjeerd van Ballegooy / Klaas Kwakkel) : winners of the 2025 edition, ready to defend their crown with their MAN TGA 18.480
They will face the challenge of four highly determined teams:
Greenteam Panhuijzen (Mike Panhuijzen / Pieter Kuypers / Eric Jan Hartjes) in a MAN TGA
Rt2R (Franck Coquide / Daniel Penkala / Jean-François Delaval) driving a Renault K520
Truckteam Muller (Martin Roeterdink / Roy Korenromp / Geralt Van ’T Blik) at the wheel of a DAF N3/BA 03
Art Of Speed – Essers (Noel Essers / Frits Driesmans / Davy Vanden Boer) in a MAN TGA
