Overview of the 27th Rallye OLA Energy du Maroc
The highly anticipated 27th edition of the Rallye OLA Energy du Maroc, which marks the fourth round of the championship, is set to unfold between the picturesque locations of Agadir and Zagora from September 28 to October 3. This year's event has attracted 131 competitors, comprising 8 racers in the RallyGP category, 110 in Rally2, 10 in Rally3, and 3 in the Quads division. Following the recent competition in Argentina, the competition among the top three motorcycle riders has intensified, creating a thrilling atmosphere as they vie for the championship title in this penultimate round.
Key Competitors and Championship Standings
In the motorcycle segment, reigning world champion Daniel Sanders has secured two consecutive victories in RallyGP, placing him in a tight race with Tosha Schareina, who trails by a mere three points. Not to be overlooked, Luciano Benavides, the Dakar winner, is just six points behind the leader, setting the stage for a fierce competition. In the Rally2 category, Martim Ventura currently leads with a four-point advantage over Toni Mulec, while the Rally3 competitors, Murun Purevdorj and Alan Eduardo, are separated by just one point. The Quads division sees Antanas Kanopkinas, the defending champion of this race aboard his CF Moto, leading the charge and starting as one of the favorites.
The RallyGP category promises to be an exhilarating rematch between Sanders and Schareina, as both riders are backed by their respective manufacturers, aiming to maximize their chances in Agadir. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, with 131 manufacturer points, will feature Daniel Sanders, Luciano Benavides, and Edgar Canet. On the other hand, Monster Energy Honda HRC, holding 126 manufacturer points, will have Tosha Schareina, Ricky Brabec, and Adrien Van Beveren in their lineup. Hero Motosports, with 52 points, will be represented by Ignacio Cornejo. The top four contenders in the championship—Sanders, Schareina, Benavides, and Brabec—have all made their mark in the previous two editions of the rally. Their performances have been noteworthy, with Sanders and Schareina trading victories in the past two years, while Benavides and Brabec have also graced the podium.
For Ricky Brabec, this event represents a significant moment as he has announced that he will retire following the 2027 Dakar, making this his final appearance in Morocco. Conversely, for Skyler Howes, the last American to clinch victory at this event in 2022, the Rallye OLA Energy du Maroc signifies a fresh start, particularly as ZX Moto makes its debut in the rally-raid arena.
In Rally2, several factory teams are set to compete, including Hero Motosports with Michael Docherty and India's Shlok Ghorpade, Monster Energy Honda HRC with Martim Ventura and Preston Campbell, Sherco TVS with Harith Noah, and Kove with Sunier Sunier and Neels Theric. ZX Moto will also be represented by Tobias Ebster, who is making a return to the second division after previously finishing fourth in 2025. Michael Docherty, who faced challenges during his Hero debut in Argentina, is eager to redeem himself, as is Duust rider Konrad Dabrowski, who finished third in 2025. HRC factory riders Ventura and Campbell have gained significant experience since their last outing in Morocco and are poised to challenge privateer racer Mulec, who previously won Rally2 at the Dakar.
As reported by fim-moto.com.
