The inaugural stage of the Rallye du Maroc 2026 took participants on a challenging route from Agadir to Zagora, where Honda's Ricky Brabec showcased his exceptional skills, finishing with the fastest time ahead of Red Bull KTM's Daniel Sanders. The stage, which unfolded on September 30, 2026, tested not only speed but also the navigational prowess of the riders over a diverse terrain that included rocky passages, dry riverbeds, and swift sections leading into the Draa Valley's dunes.
Brabec, who started the stage in 13th position, completed the special stage of 268 kilometers in a time of 2 hours, 39 minutes, and 57 seconds, making him the first stage winner in this year's Moroccan edition. Following closely were his competitors, with Sanders and teammate Edgar Canet finishing just 23 and 44 seconds behind, respectively. The competitors also faced a connection route of 368 kilometers, emphasizing the importance of strategic fuel management and navigation.
In a somewhat challenging debut, the new ZX Moto team experienced difficulties as GP rider Skyler Howes had to retire from the stage due to an empty fuel tank. Fortunately, his teammate Tobias Ebster, who was competing in the Rally2 category, shared his fuel supply, enabling both riders to reach the finish line, albeit requiring assistance during the connection leg.
The results from the first stage of the Rally GP were as follows: Ricky Brabec (Honda) clinched the victory at 2:39:57, followed by Daniel Sanders (KTM) at +0:23, and Edgar Canet (KTM) at +0:44. The overall standings after the first stage also saw Brabec leading with a cumulative time of 2:51:08, just 10 seconds ahead of Sanders. The competition continues to heat up as the rally progresses, with each stage promising to bring more excitement and challenges.
As reported by speedweek.com.
