+++ News Flash +++
- 1000 Dunas: Five riders from the Canary Islands announced; scrutineering on 17 October.
- Portalegre: 115 motorcycle entries for the 40th edition; long final section planned.
- Pangea: Through South Africa’s Western Cape from 21 to 27 October.
- Portalegre: António Maio and Pedro Bianchi Prata announced with different concepts.
- Hellas 24Hours: Riding days on 31 October and 1 November on Evia.
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1000 Dunas: Two Koves in the Canary Islands line-up
At the 1000 Dunas, scrutineering begins in Fez on 17 October, with the first of six stages following on 18 October. Canarias en Moto announces five riders from the Canary Islands. They include Ramón Cousillas on a Kove 800X Rally and Nicolás Hernández on a Kove 450 Rally. The line-up therefore features two different motorcycle concepts side by side. The route leads via Erg Chebbi back to Fez; the final stage is scheduled for 23 October.
Sources: Canarias en Moto · 1000 Dunas – Programm
Portalegre: 280 kilometres to finish
The 40th Baja Portalegre enters its planned final day on 17 October. After Friday’s programme of a prologue and around 71 kilometres of special stage, the motorcycles face a 280-kilometre section on the schedule. Before the start, the organiser reported 115 motorcycle entries. This figure describes the entry list, not the number of riders who actually reach the final section. Micael Simão is also part of the picture: he won the motorcycle category in the 2025 edition.
Sources: ACP – Nennungen · CNTT – Ablauf
Pangea: Roadbook with target time instead of fastest time
The Pangea Rally begins in South Africa on 21 October. For the week up to 27 October, the organiser quotes around 2,100 kilometres through the Western Cape, with six stages and an optional prologue on arrival. Scoring is based on accuracy against a set ideal time; the event is expressly not a speed race. The route links coastal sections, the Karoo and the Cape winelands. About two thirds are on tarmac, one third off it. Registration for 2026 is closed.
Sources: Pangea Rally – Veranstaltung und Konzept
Portalegre: Ténéré 700 meets electric STRiX
Away from the overall standings, Portalegre brings together two special motorcycle projects. The Portuguese federation FMP announced António Maio in the Trail class on a Yamaha Ténéré 700. Pedro Bianchi Prata was named with a fully electric STRiX. The report of 14 October thus documents the planned entries of both machines. Statements about their placings, the STRiX’s range in competition or a successful finish cannot yet be drawn from it.
Sources: FMP – Vorschau vom 14. Oktober
Hellas 24Hours: Four stages into the night
For Hellas 24Hours, the organiser’s current main page gives 31 October and 1 November as the riding days. The paddock is in Aidipsos in northern Evia; scrutineering is planned for 29 and 30 October. In the published plan, four special stages add up to 820 kilometres. The second runs past midnight, while the third starts as early as 2.30am. Solo and team entries are planned. Navigation and pacing will therefore also be tested during the night.