In one week, Sandalion Week begins in Olbia: the bivouac opens on 12 October, and the first stage starts on 13 October. Until 17 October, Sardinia will host the final of the FIM Europe Tout Terrain Rally Cup.
Five racing days, navigation and an additional night stage: Sandalion brings an interesting package to the island for the end of the season. The organiser is Moto Club Insolita Sardegna. The event is supported by the Region of Sardinia. For the European rally scene, this puts the spotlight on an event that is worth watching beyond the big desert races.
The Cup final gets a stage of its own
The season has already produced different winners. Jacopo Cerutti won the rounds in Galicia and Greece. At the Ro Rally Marathon in Romania, Thomas Marini then won on an Aprilia. Maikol Reboldi finished second overall there, and Alexandru Daniel Goran completed the podium.
That makes Sandalion worth watching: several riders from that successful Romanian field are also on the current entry list for Sardinia. However, the results so far do not allow us to infer a complete title picture, or a confirmed start from all of the season’s previous winners.
Five stages and a long Thursday
The published programme lists 1,190 kilometres of total distance and 594 kilometres of selective sections, plus “Luna Nera”. The base is the Olbia Arena on Via Libia. The first stage begins on Tuesday at 1 pm.
| Date | Stage | Selective | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 October | 1 | 54 km | 90 km |
| 14 October | 2 | 130 km | 260 km |
| 15 October | 3 / Marathon | 170 km + night stage | 360 km |
| 16 October | 4 | 140 km | 300 km |
| 17 October | 5 | 100 km | 180 km |
Thursday is the longest day. The “Marathon” label should not automatically be equated with a complete ban on assistance: the programme expressly mentions authorised mobile assistance for this day as well.
“Luna Nera”: a night stage that counts
The night stage “Luna Nera” on the Tilibbas course is also scheduled for Thursday. It is open to spectators and, according to the organiser, counts towards the event classification. This gives the spectator part real sporting weight. The prize-giving is planned for Saturday at 5 pm.
These names deserve a second look
At the time of research on 5 October, the public entry list comprises 39 entries, all motorcycles. Names include Maikol Reboldi, Alexandru Goran, Daniele Livi, Tony Van Cauwenberghe and David Zucchini Del Vecchio. Others include Alberto Allera, Ruggero Auteri, Tracy Morandin and Elisabetta Romagna. The list is a snapshot before the entry deadline.
Reboldi and Goran in particular bring a convincing sporting reference with their podium places in Romania. The class results are also interesting: Reboldi won M1 there, Van Cauwenberghe M2, Goran M3 and Zucchini Del Vecchio M4. The field therefore offers several stories beyond a single duel for the overall win.
For late deciders: entry deadline on 10 October
The organiser’s website currently lists an entry fee of 1,500 euros until 10 October. The mandatory ANUBE Stella tracking EVO 3 costs an additional 200 euros. Entry fee and tracking therefore come to 1,700 euros in total; travel, accommodation, meals and technical or logistical support are extra.
Included are, among other things, a 36-square-metre space in the bivouac, the paper or digital roadbook chosen at registration, number stickers and medical care during the race. Anyone wanting to take part at short notice should clarify their licence, equipment and registration directly with the organiser.
Why Olbia is worth watching
The mix makes this rally exciting: a European season finale, well-known names from the rounds so far and a night stage with direct bearing on the result. Our sporting expectation: after five days, besides pace, what is likely to count most is who keeps navigation, concentration and machinery reliably together. How the field actually sorts itself out will become clear from 13 October.
Research and programme status: 5 October 2026. Information based on the published organiser details; changes remain possible. The photos show earlier images and do not document the upcoming 2026 edition.
Sources and image credits
- Sandalion – official event website: venue, racing days, Cup final and support from the Region of Sardinia.
- Sandalion – Programme 2026: start, stages, distances, assistance information, night stage and prize-giving.
- Sandalion – entry list: 39 published entries, accessed on 5 October 2026.
- Sandalion – registration and services: entry deadline, entry fee, tracking, and included and excluded services.
- FIM Europe – Ro Rally Marathon, report of 20 July 2026: previous round winners and overall and class results in Romania.
- Moto Club Insolita Sardegna: organiser and rally programme.
- Photo 1: Motorcyclist jumping; image source: Sandalion, home page · original image. Archive/illustration image; photographer, rights holder and date of photo not separately stated.
- Photo 2: Motorcyclist on a rocky path; image source: Sandalion, archive gallery · original image. Previous edition; photographer, rights holder and exact date of photo not separately stated.
- Title and social banners: AI-assisted editorial collages based on the two original photos credited above. Logo: Sandalion, official logo file. The collages are designed illustrations, not unaltered event photos.