Excitement Builds for the 2026 Rally of Morocco
From September 28 to October 3, 2026, Agadir and the Moroccan Sahara will serve as the backdrop for the 27th edition of the Rally of Morocco, a pivotal event in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). With more than 250 vehicles set to traverse a challenging course of 2,000 kilometers stretching from the coastal city of Agadir to the desert region of Zagora, this rally promises to gather the most prominent figures of international motorsport amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Chegaga and Chebbi ergs. The event not only aims to crown the world champions but also to finalize technical preparations leading up to the next Rally Dakar.
Agadir will host the rally's starting point for the sixth time, celebrating its 27th anniversary. The action will commence on Monday, September 28, with technical verifications and a prologue stage, transforming Agadir into the gateway for this grand expedition. Starting Tuesday, September 29, the rally caravan will head east for the first of five timed stages, with the remaining four stages commencing and concluding in Zagora, deep within the Saharan territory. Participants will face a grueling challenge as they complete 2,000 kilometers—over half of which will be raced against the clock. Navigating the dunes of Chegaga and Chebbi, crossing plateaus, and tackling technical sections will test the endurance of both machines and teams.
World-Class Competitors Descend on the Dunes
This year's roster features some of the most legendary names in the discipline. In the premier car category (Ultimate), Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah leads the charge as the event's all-time winningest competitor, boasting seven victories. He will be joined by the official Dacia team, which includes nine-time world rally champion Sébastien Loeb and Brazilian Lucas Moraes, the reigning W2RC world champion following a narrow victory at Erg Chebbi.
The competition will also see Spanish driver Carlos Sainz representing Ford, alongside the speed of Yazeed Al-Rajhi and the promising young American Seth Quintero from Toyota. In the motorcycle category, top riders such as Luciano Benavides, Toby Price, and Adrien Van Beveren will put their navigation skills to the test in the Moroccan desert.
Beyond the competitive aspect, major global manufacturers are once again turning to Morocco's diverse terrain as the ideal testing ground to evolve their vehicles ahead of Dakar. The 2026 edition will introduce the debut of the Classics category and the eagerly anticipated return of quads, alongside classes such as Ultimate, Challenger, SSV, and motorcycles, creating a legendary lineup.
The route design, crafted by Dakar champions Luc Alphand and Marc Coma, features a significant technical innovation with the separation of tracks between motorcycles and cars in several segments to enhance safety and competitiveness.
With this 27th edition, Morocco not only affirms its status as the only essential African stop on the W2RC circuit but also looks towards the future. The international federation has confirmed that in 2027, the country will reclaim its traditional role as the grand finale that crowns the world champions.
As reported by es.le360.ma.
