The Exciting Journey of the Rallye du Maroc

The Rallye du Maroc marks the fourth round of the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship 2026, kicking off today in the vibrant port city of Agadir, located along the Atlantic coast. Participants will face a formidable course totaling approximately 2,524 kilometers, with 1,575 kilometers dedicated to five competitive stages. While motorcycles will tackle an 18-kilometer prologue, cars will utilize the shakedown in Agadir as a critical preparation phase. The first stage, set for Tuesday, covers a challenging 636 kilometers leading to Zagora, where the event will culminate on October 3rd.

For Matthias Walkner, this marks his third appearance at a World Championship event behind the wheel of a car. The Salzburg native previously dominated the Desafio Ruta in Argentina, where he seized victory in his buggy with an impressive 29-second lead. However, his recent outing in Portugal was cut short due to a technical malfunction. The bivouac in Zagora serves as the central hub for the championship event, from where teams will embark on four loops until Saturday. Each stage presents a quintessential blend of Moroccan terrain, featuring sandy trails, dunes, fast tracks, and technically demanding sections.

Walkner's New Partnership and Goals

This year in Morocco, the 40-year-old faces an array of new challenges as he competes in the T4-SSV class for the 'South Racing' team, driving a Can-Am Maverick. Accompanying him is his new co-pilot, Spanish competitor Oriol Mena. Mena is no stranger to Walkner; the two share a history, as Mena finished seventh in the motorcycle category during Walkner's 2018 Dakar victory and was recognized as the top rookie. Transitioning from the motorcycle class, Mena has accumulated valuable experience in various categories and notably clinched the Rally Dakar title in the T4 class in 2023. Walkner expressed his enthusiasm for their collaboration, stating, "I am eager to see how we function as a team, and the initial tests have been very promising."

Walkner has a clear objective in mind: "I want to experiment as much as possible before the Dakar," he explains, highlighting his commitment to optimizing performance in preparation for future challenges.

As reported by salzburg24.at.