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Leg 6 Douz–Monastir: Knuiman Retakes the Lead, Gerlach Loses Time with Roadbook Failure

Published by Thomas Menzel on 31. October 2026

Series: Fenix Rally – The doorway to Sahara

Jeremy Knuiman clearly won the sixth stage of the Fenix Rally 2026 from Douz to Monastir in the Enduro class and took the overall lead back from Justin Gerlach. According to the organiser’s provisional, unofficial daily classification, the Dutchman on a KTM was 8 minutes and 34 seconds faster than every other motorcyclist. By his own account, Gerlach struggled with a failed roadbook controller, a minor fall and a navigational error. Ahead of the final stage he is now 6 minutes and 5 seconds behind Knuiman.

Motorcyclist with number 21 on a KTM in a stony desert landscape at the Fenix Rally 2026
Jeremy Knuiman (number 21) at the Fenix Rally 2026. The photo is not verifiably from Leg 6. Photo: photographer not named, via RallyTracks.nl

A stage to Monastir with a shortened timed section

With Leg 6, the rally left the Sahara region after four days around Douz and headed for the Mediterranean coast. RallyandRaces.com had announced the penultimate stage as a run to Monastir of around 450 kilometres, roughly half of it against the clock. According to the same outlet, the Fenix Rally ends on the afternoon of Saturday 31 October 2026.

The day apparently did not go quite to plan. Gerlach reports that the stage was cancelled because an area on the route was flooded; some cars had got stuck there earlier. The field then drove 300 kilometres on the road to Monastir. There is no statement from the organiser, RBI Sport, on the cancellation or the distance that counted for the results. The winning time of 1 hour, 8 minutes and 36 seconds points to a considerably shortened special stage.

Enduro daily classification: Knuiman well clear

Three riders finished within 27 seconds behind Knuiman. Richard Wijntjes (Husqvarna, De Baar Rally Team) was second, Gerlach finished just 2 seconds behind in third, and Daan Veenendaal (GasGas, De Baar Rally Team) followed in fourth. The classification is expressly marked as provisional and unofficial.

  • 1st: Jeremy Knuiman (NLD, KTM), 1:08:36 h
  • 2nd: Richard Wijntjes (NLD, Husqvarna), gap (min:sec): +8:34
  • 3rd: Justin Gerlach (DEU, KTM), +8:36
  • 4th: Daan Veenendaal (NLD, GasGas), +9:01
  • 5th: Pascal de Baar (NLD, KTM), +11:38

Overall standings: Knuiman leads by six minutes

Before the day, Gerlach had taken the lead after his stage win on Leg 5. The times in the provisional overall classification imply that before Leg 6 he was around 2 minutes and 31 seconds ahead of Knuiman. By gaining 8 minutes and 36 seconds on Gerlach, Knuiman turned the duel around again.

  • 1st: Jeremy Knuiman (NLD, KTM), 26:45:25 h
  • 2nd: Justin Gerlach (DEU, KTM), gap (h:min:sec): +0:06:05
  • 3rd: Daan Veenendaal (NLD, GasGas), +1:08:45
  • 4th: Gaspard Delsart (FRA, KTM), +5:16:41
  • 5th: Richard Wijntjes (NLD, Husqvarna), +6:15:54

This standing is also a provisional overall classification after Leg 6. Penalty times are already included in the total time: Knuiman has 15 minutes and 30 seconds so far, Gerlach 2 minutes.

Motorcyclist with number 21 on a dusty sand track, with water and a coastline in the background
Knuiman on a sand track with a view of the water. Which stage of the Fenix Rally 2026 the photo was taken on is not documented. Photo: photographer not named, via RallyTracks.nl

Gerlach: controller failure, fall, wrong turn

According to Gerlach, his problems began at kilometre 30, when the roadbook controller failed. This is the handlebar control riders use to advance the digital roadbook. “I had to scroll the roadbook by hand,” the German said. It did not work at all with the touchscreen. Knuiman still did not catch him until kilometre 60. He then rode in the Dutchman’s dust for about 10 kilometres before leaving the track and falling lightly. He said he was not injured and the motorcycle was fine.

Gerlach then tried to follow Knuiman’s tracks, because navigating by roadbook no longer worked. “In doing so I lost the track and got lost, so I lost a lot of time, very annoying.” His assessment was sober: “So the overall classification is probably, how shall I put it, gone.” (Translation of the German-language original.)

By his own assessment he regards second place as safe, provided he finishes the rally. According to the provisional classification, his lead over Veenendaal is 1 hour, 2 minutes and 40 seconds. In the evening in Monastir, Gerlach says he wired up a completely new roadbook system, soldered connectors and checked the cables. For the final stage he expects just 60 to 70 kilometres. “I’ll give everything until the finish line,” he announced. (Translation of the German-language original.) There was also a private surprise: his parents were waiting for him in the camp, although by his own account he had assumed they were on holiday in Egypt.

Willer and Reinprecht

Florian Willer (DEU, KTM) finished Leg 6 in tenth place, 14 minutes and 52 seconds behind Knuiman. He is eighth in the provisional overall classification. Austrian Georg Reinprecht (Beta) finished 16th, 28 minutes and 53 seconds behind the fastest rider of the day, and is also 16th overall.

Loasis motorcycles

The historic rally Loasis L’Original is running in parallel; according to the organiser, the Fenix Rally 2026 has entered into a partnership with it. In its M2005 motorcycle class, Gaspard Albanel (FRA, KTM) won the daily classification and leads the class by 2 minutes and 32 seconds over Ludovic Gager. In the M85 class, Pieter Boudrez (BEL, Yamaha) is the only classified rider.

Sources and photo credits

  • Fenix Rally 2026, Partial Unofficial Classification for L6 and Rally Provisional Classification after Leg 6 (timing rc.geotraq.de, as of 30 October 2026), results documents held by the editorial team; Entry List Fenix Rally 2026
  • Justin Gerlach, voice message to the editorial team on Leg 6 (quotes verbatim, in places shortened while preserving the meaning)
  • RallyandRaces.com: Koen Wauters: de navigatie was meer dan pittig (30 October 2026)
  • Fenix Rally / RBI Sport: Official website
  • Road2Rally: Fenix Rally event page
  • Photo 1: Jeremy Knuiman (no. 21) in stony desert, Fenix Rally 2026, stage not documented; photographer not named; original source: RallyTracks.nl, published in October 2026
  • Photo 2: Jeremy Knuiman (no. 21) on sand track by the water, Fenix Rally 2026, stage not documented; photographer not named; original source: RallyTracks.nl, published in October 2026
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Dakar 2027 moves to Portugal and Morocco: the route at a glanceGraphic showing the Dakar 2027 stage plan from Loulé/Faro to Marrakech

Dakar 2027 moves to Portugal and Morocco: the route at a glance

Published by Thomas Menzel on 31. October 2026

Series: Dakar 2027

The 2027 Dakar Rally starts on Saturday 9 January 2027 in Loulé, Portugal, and finishes on Saturday 23 January 2027 in Marrakech. A prologue is followed by twelve stages covering a total of 7,824 kilometres, of which 4,341 kilometres are special stages. This was announced by the FIA on 30 October 2026. One caveat remains: the dates still have to be approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

The 49th edition is thus being moved out of Saudi Arabia as an exception. It was originally planned to take place there from 1 to 15 January 2027. According to the FIA, the Dakar is returning to Africa for the first time since 2007. A return to Saudi Arabia has been announced for the 50th edition in 2028.

Why the Dakar is moving

The organiser A.S.O. and the FIA give “recent developments in the region” as the reason for the move (translated from English). Franceinfo, citing the news agency AFP, names the increasing attacks on Riyadh by the Iran-backed Houthi militias from Yemen as the background. According to Rallye Infos, Dakar Classic, Dakar Future Mission 1000 and the Dakar Saudi Next Gen programme are moving too.

The 2027 Dakar opens the season of the FIA and FIM World Rally-Raid Championships (W2RC). For the motorcycle classes, it is therefore the first world championship round of the year. Dakar director David Castera said, according to Cycle News, that 350 participants have entered so far. He did not give a breakdown by class. Despite the short preparation time, they have designed “a real Dakar” (translated).

Start at the Algarve Stadium

The starting point is the Algarve Stadium in Loulé/Faro. According to the FIA, the service park opens on 5 January, and administrative and technical scrutineering runs from 6 to 8 January. The prologue and the first stage are held in Portugal. The participants then cross the Mediterranean overnight to the Moroccan port of Nador. On 11 January, the liaison stage to the first Moroccan bivouac in Bouarfa follows.

Graphic showing the stage plan of the Dakar 2027 from 9 to 23 January 2027 in Portugal and Morocco
Stage plan of the Dakar 2027 as a graphic. The distances of the special stages and daily stages match the list published by Rallye Infos. The 590 kilometres of the liaison stage on 11 January are not shown there. Graphic: Cross Country Rally News, Facebook

Eleven stages in Morocco

From Bouarfa, the route leads south via Zagora to Agadir. The rest day is there on 17 January. In the second week, according to the FIA, it continues via Smara towards Dakhla, before the route turns north along the Atlantic coast and passes through Smara once more. The finish is in Marrakech. Six bivouacs are planned in total. According to the FIA, most special stages are between 350 and 500 kilometres long.

The stage list from Rallye Infos gives only the name “Refuge” for the bivouac in the south. Where exactly it is located is not clear from the sources consulted. The longest daily stage is, according to that list, the eleventh from Smara to Marrakech at 1,035 kilometres, and the longest special stage is the seventh at 500 kilometres. The finale in Marrakech features just one special stage of 22 kilometres.

The stages according to Rallye Infos

Each entry gives the length of the special stage (SS) and the total distance for the day, including liaison stages.

  • Prologue, Saturday 9 January: Loulé – Loulé, SS 29 km, total 129 km
  • Stage 1, Sunday 10 January: Loulé – Loulé, SS 100 km, total 300 km
  • Monday 11 January: liaison stage Loulé – Bouarfa, no special stage
  • Stage 2, Tuesday 12 January: Bouarfa – Bouarfa, SS 390 km, total 490 km
  • Stage 3, Wednesday 13 January: Bouarfa – Bouarfa, SS 410 km, total 490 km
  • Stage 4, Thursday 14 January: Bouarfa – Zagora, SS 490 km, total 750 km
  • Stage 5, Friday 15 January: Zagora – Zagora, SS 365 km, total 540 km
  • Stage 6, Saturday 16 January: Zagora – Agadir, SS 365 km, total 760 km
  • Sunday 17 January: rest day in Agadir
  • Stage 7, Monday 18 January: Agadir – Smara, SS 500 km, total 790 km
  • Stage 8, Tuesday 19 January: Smara – Refuge, SS 355 km, total 525 km
  • Stage 9, Wednesday 20 January: Refuge – Smara, SS 390 km, total 625 km
  • Stage 10, Thursday 21 January: Smara – Smara, SS 470 km, total 560 km
  • Stage 11, Friday 22 January: Smara – Marrakech, SS 455 km, total 1,035 km
  • Stage 12, Saturday 23 January: Marrakech – Marrakech, SS 22 km, total 240 km
Motorcyclist kicks up a plume of sand over a desert dune with the sun low in the sky
Archive photo: Tosha Schareina (Monster Energy Honda HRC) on stage eight of the 2026 Dakar near Wadi Ad-Dawasir in Saudi Arabia, 12 January 2026. Photo: © A.S.O./F. Gooden/DPPI, dakar.com

Familiar hosts

Neither country is new to rally raid. According to the FIA, Portugal has hosted a W2RC round, the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, for three seasons, supported by the national federations FPAK and ACP. Morocco is also represented on the world championship calendar with the Rallye du Maroc and has already been part of earlier Dakar editions. The Dakar left Africa after the 2008 cancellation, ran in South America from 2009 to 2019 and then for seven editions in Saudi Arabia, as franceinfo summarises.

Sources and image credits

Published inFIM enabledNews
KOVE wins the first two stages of the 2026 DHD Rally in XinjiangRider with number 66 jumps a red KOVE rally bike over a sandy track, archive photo from the 2026 Dakar Rally

KOVE wins the first two stages of the 2026 DHD Rally in Xinjiang

Published by Thomas Menzel on 30. October 2026

Series: Manufacturers

KOVE has won both opening stages of the 2026 China Dahaidao International Motorcycle Rally (DHD Rally) in China’s Xinjiang region. The manufacturer reports this in a press release dated 7 September 2026. Martin Michek won the first special stage (SS1) and Neels Theric the second (SS2). Both rode the KOVE 450 RALLY EX. Official results lists from the organiser were not available at the time of going to press; the times and positions are based on information from KOVE.

SS1: KOVE riders take the first three places

According to KOVE, the first stage was 405.20 kilometres long, of which 253.63 kilometres was timed special stage. Around 152 kilometres were liaison sections on which no time is taken. The manufacturer describes a mix of fast tracks, sharp-edged rock, soft sand, riverbeds and demanding navigation in the Gobi.

The SS1 results according to KOVE:

  1. Martin Michek, 3:22:57 hours
  2. Milan Engel, 3:24:51 hours (Gap (Min:Sec): +1:54)
  3. Neels Theric, 3:25:55 hours (Gap (Min:Sec): +2:58)

KOVE speaks of an all-KOVE podium in the motorcycle classification. The release does not make clear whether this refers to the overall classification of all motorcycles or to a single class.

According to the manufacturer, Theric had to stop about 15 kilometres before the finish because of a technical problem. KOVE does not say what the defect was. Team-mate Sunier turned back and helped him, so Theric reached the finish and kept third place. The release does not say how much time Sunier lost as a result or where he finished himself.

Rider with number 45 on a red KOVE rally bike in mid-air in front of a rock face, with a cloud of dust behind
Archive photo from the 2026 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, not from the DHD Rally: KOVE factory rider Sunier (#45). Photo: KOVE Moto, photographer not named. Source: KOVE Moto Ireland

SS2: Theric wins the day after the breakdown

Theric won the second stage the following day. According to KOVE, its special stage was 296.34 kilometres long and led through yardang terrain, meaning wind-sculpted rock ridges, as well as over open Gobi tracks and through riverbeds. Michek finished second. The manufacturer gives no times and no total length for SS2. In all, KOVE counts five podium finishes for its riders in the first two stages.

The race as a testing ground

Together, the two special stages add up to just under 550 timed kilometres. KOVE explicitly presents the entries as part of its development work: the data gathered in the desert is meant to feed into the further development of the 450 RALLY EX and future rally models. That is the manufacturer’s intention. KOVE does not disclose which data this is or what changes will result.

Rider with number 66 jumps a red KOVE rally bike over a sandy track in front of rocky slopes
Archive photo from the 2026 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, not from the DHD Rally: Neels Theric (#66) on the KOVE 450 Rally EX. Photo: KOVE Moto, photographer not named. Source: KOVE Moto Ireland

Outcome of the rally according to a media report

The KOVE release covers only the first two stages. On the outcome, the Spanish portal Motosan reported on 15 September 2026. According to it, the DHD Rally ran from 4 to 11 September 2026. Theric is said to have won it after taking three of the six special stages. Only the last special stage decided the victory, it says. According to Motosan, Milan Engel finished third overall. The report does not name the runner-up.

According to Motosan, the rally covered just under 2,500 kilometres, of which about 1,300 were timed. Nineteen participants reportedly rode bikes from the KOVE 450 Rally series. Motosan evidently draws on information from KOVE’s circle and on a social media post by Theric. No overall classification from the organiser was available at the time of going to press, so the final result is not independently confirmed.

Motosan named the Rallye du Maroc as the next stop. There, according to KOVE information dated 4 October 2026, Theric finished 11th overall and 4th in the Rally2 class. The manufacturer names Dakar 2027 in Saudi Arabia as its next major goal.

Sources and photo credits

  • KOVE Moto: “KOVE Claims Two Stage Wins at the 2026 DHD Rally”, 7 September 2026, kovemoto.com
  • Motosan: “La KOVE 450 Rally demuestra su rendimiento y fiabilidad en 2.500 kilómetros por el desierto”, 15 September 2026, motosan.es
  • KOVE Moto: “KOVE Completes Rallye du Maroc 2026 with Two Victories”, 4 October 2026, kovemoto.com
  • KOVE Moto: “KOVE At Dakar 2026: A Historic Milestone”, 18 January 2026, kovemoto.com
  • Photo 1: Sunier (#45) on the KOVE 450 Rally EX, Dakar Rally 2026 (archive photo). Rights holder: KOVE Moto, photographer not named. Original source: KOVE Moto Ireland, “DAKAR 2026 | SS1”, published on 7 January 2026. Manufacturer press photo, no licence information published.
  • Photo 2: Neels Theric (#66) on the KOVE 450 Rally EX, Dakar Rally 2026 (archive photo). Rights holder: KOVE Moto, photographer not named. Original source: KOVE Moto Ireland, “DAKAR 2026 | SS1”, published on 7 January 2026. Manufacturer press photo, no licence information published.
Published inGeneral
Qatar International Baja: Dąbrowski wins prologue narrowly ahead of McInnesRally motorcyclist on a dusty gravel track with mountains in the background

Qatar International Baja: Dąbrowski wins prologue narrowly ahead of McInnes

Published by Thomas Menzel on 30. October 2026

Series: FIM

Konrad Dąbrowski won the motorcycle prologue of the Qatar International Baja on Thursday, 29 October 2026. The Pole took 7 minutes and 15.1 seconds for the 11.12 kilometres, finishing just 1.3 seconds ahead of Alex McInnes, the leader of the FIM Bajas World Cup. This is according to the MFE Live report, which includes the published results list. The report does not make clear whether this is the official or a provisional classification.

For the motorcycles, the event in Qatar is the fifth round of the FIM Bajas World Cup; for the cars, it is the penultimate round of both the FIA World Baja Cup and the FIA Middle East Baja Cup. After the start ceremony in Lusail, 37 cars, 45 motorcycles and eight quads set off, according to MFE Live.

Dąbrowski sets the pace, McInnes stays close

Dąbrowski was the first motorcyclist onto the stage, riding the KTM 450 of Duust Rally Team. His best time was only confirmed once the last riders had finished. He has already won in Qatar in 2022, 2023 and 2025. “It went really well, but it was close. A little more than a second to Alex,” Dąbrowski said, according to MFE Live (translated). He sees the start in Qatar as part of his preparation for the Dakar Rally.

Motorcyclist in rally gear riding through a sand dune
Archive photo: Konrad Dąbrowski at the 2025 Qatar International Baja, which he won. Photo: photographer not named, via MFE Live

Behind the two leaders there was a clear gap. Romain Dumontier, a former 125cc Enduro World Champion and the 2023 winner of the Rally 2 classification in the FIM Rally-Raid World Cup, finished third, 30.3 seconds behind. He had started far back in the field. Robert Wallace (KTM 450 EXC) and Simon Marčič (Kove) completed the top five. All 45 motorcyclists reached the finish.

Prologue motorcycles, top 10 (time in min:sec)

  1. Konrad Dąbrowski (POL), KTM 450 Rally Replica, 7:15.1
  2. Alex McInnes (GBR), KTM 450 RFR, 7:16.4
  3. Romain Dumontier (FRA), KTM 450 Rally Factory, 7:45.4
  4. Robert Wallace (GBR), KTM 450 EXC, 7:52.2
  5. Simon Marčič (SLO), Kove 450 Rally EX, 7:53.3
  6. Michael Anderson (POR), KTM 450 RFR, 8:19.7
  7. Toni Mulec (SLO), KTM 450 Rally Replica, 8:20.5
  8. Ethan Lane (GBR), KTM 450 Rally, 8:20.6 (including 5-second penalty)
  9. Mohammed Al-Balooshi (UAE), KTM 450 RR, 8:20.9
  10. Makis Rees-Stavros (GBR), KTM EXC F450, 8:36.1

Toni Mulec, the Rally 2 winner at the most recent Dakar Rally, took seventh place. Mohammed Al-Balooshi of the United Arab Emirates, who has already won in Qatar twice, was ninth. Abdulhalim Al-Mogheera of Saudi Arabia, described by MFE Live as McInnes’s direct rival at the top of the overall standings, does not appear in the published top 15. A heavy rain shower hit the region towards the end of the prologue.

A broad field from 17 countries

Before the start, MFE Live had already announced 45 motorcyclists and eight quad entries in its preview of 28 October 2026. The motorcyclists come from 17 countries. Philip Horlemann, Tony Schattat and Anton Tyll are on the entry list from Germany; their prologue times are not included in the published top 15. Qatar itself is represented by Mohammed Al-Kubaisi (Fanatic XEF 450 Rally) and Abdulattif Mojadam (Husqvarna FE 450).

Rally motorcyclist with number 28 riding on a dusty gravel track with mountains in the background
Archive photo: Tony Schattat of Germany at the 2025 Dubai International Baja. Photo: photographer not named, via MFE Live

According to the preview, the route runs over two days through the deserts in the north, centre and south of Qatar. Administrative and technical checks were scheduled at the Lusail International Circuit on Wednesday, 28 October.

Quads: Ahli starts title defence with the fastest time

In the quads, last year’s winner Abdulaziz Ahli (UAE) was fastest on his Yamaha Raptor 700, 33.6 seconds ahead of Hani Al-Noumesi (KSA). Third place went to Ahmed Al-Jaber (KSA), the leader of the FIM Bajas World Cup in the quads. Ahli’s compatriot Khalifa Al-Bastaki was classified fifth after a time penalty and a further penalty for losing his time card.

Friday: 336.45 kilometres of special stage

The first long stage takes place on Friday, 30 October 2026. The special stage, the section run against the clock, is 336.45 kilometres long and leads through the deserts in the north, west and centre of Qatar. MFE Live compares the length with a stage of the W2RC World Rally-Raid Championship or the Dakar Rally. According to the schedule, the first motorcycle was due to start at 6:55 local time. Results of this stage were not yet available at the time of going to press.

Sources and photo credits

Published inGeneral

Fenix Rally Leg 5 Douz-Douz: Gerlach wins and takes the lead back from Knuiman

Published by Thomas Menzel on 30. October 2026

Series: Fenix Rally – The doorway to Sahara

Justin Gerlach won the fifth stage of the Fenix Rally around Douz on Thursday, 29 October 2026, and took the lead in the motorcycle classification back from Jeremy Knuiman. According to the provisional, unofficial stage classification, the German was 4 minutes faster than the Dutchman on the 207.66-kilometre special stage. In the provisional overall classification, Gerlach now leads Knuiman by 2 minutes and 31 seconds. The results are not yet official.

Dunes and navigation straight from the start

According to the organiser’s Competitor Briefing, Leg 5 was a 305-kilometre loop from Douz, open only to Fenix entrants. A 51.96-kilometre liaison section to the start of the special stage was followed by 207.66 kilometres against the clock and a 45.38-kilometre return to Douz on public roads.

The briefing rated the first part as the most technical: dune crossings, compass-heading navigation (marked “CAP” in the roadbook), soft sand and frequent changes of direction. Two hazards marked “DANGER !!” lay at kilometres 25.63 and 28.80 of the special stage. Between kilometres 35 and 100 came a long dune section where, according to the briefing, precise navigation mattered more than speed.

A one-hour neutralisation began at kilometre 129.28, with service and a refuelling stop at kilometre 129.54; the restart came at kilometre 147.89. After that the route led through dunes and white sand again, and between kilometres 177 and 197 through fesh-fesh, a fine, powdery dust-like sand. Only towards the end of the special stage did the terrain become more open.

Motorcyclist with start number 21 on a desert track at the Fenix Rally 2026
Jeremy Knuiman (start number 21) at the Fenix Rally 2026. Archive photo from an earlier stage, not from Leg 5. Photo: photographer not named, via RallyTracks.nl

Gerlach catches Knuiman on the track

According to the start list, Knuiman, as overall leader, started first at 6:30 a.m., with Gerlach following a minute later. Based on the stage times in the overall classification, the Dutchman was around one and a half minutes ahead before the start. Gerlach took 4 hours, 57 minutes and 7 seconds for the special stage, while Knuiman took 5 hours, 1 minute and 8 seconds. According to the list, both received two minutes of penalty time (note “WPM(1)”); the list gives no reason.

Gerlach himself explained the time gain in the evening in a voice recording from the paddock (translated from German): “That was because the rider in front of me, Jeremy, has a problem with his tablet. That means I was able to catch him and make up a lot of time.” In rally raids, the tablet generally serves as a digital roadbook. There is no statement from Knuiman on the problem.

Daan Veenendaal (GasGas) finished third, 15 minutes and 26 seconds behind, including 19 minutes of penalty time according to the list. He remains third overall, but is already 1 hour, 2 minutes and 15 seconds behind Gerlach.

Motorcycle overall classification after Leg 5 (provisional)

Gap to the leader (h:min:sec), as of the provisional classification of 29 October 2026:

  1. Justin Gerlach (Germany, KTM), total time 25:34:18
  2. Jeremy Knuiman (Netherlands, KTM), +0:02:31
  3. Daan Veenendaal (Netherlands, GasGas), +1:02:15
  4. Gaspard Delsart (France, KTM), +5:05:18
  5. Sara Jugla (France, Kove), +6:04:35
  6. Marian Augustyn (Poland, Fantic), +6:08:55
  7. Richard Wijntjes (Netherlands, Husqvarna), +6:09:51
  8. Florian Willer (Germany, KTM), +7:42:13
  9. Pascal de Baar (Netherlands, KTM), +7:57:04
  10. Taher Fourati (Tunisia, KTM), +8:12:58

Behind the leaders

Sara Jugla took fourth place on the stage, 1 hour, 3 minutes and 45 seconds behind. Fifth was Mustapha Bouchneb of Algeria, who, according to RallyTracks.nl, had not started the third stage. Marian Augustyn came sixth. Gaspard Delsart was only tenth, but keeps fourth place overall.

Melek Abdelkafi of Tunisia finished fifteenth with 2 hours and 30 minutes of penalty time. Abdelkader Mebarki of Algeria tops the stage classification with the maximum time; an earlier version of the list recorded a retirement (“DNF”) for him. Sixteen riders were classified in the Enduro class.

In the quads, Adam Krysiak of Poland won this stage too, by 9 minutes and 13 seconds from Karol Slugocki. His overall lead is 1 hour, 38 minutes and 50 seconds.

German-speaking starters

Besides Gerlach, Florian Willer (KTM) finished ninth without penalty time, 2 hours, 1 minute and 39 seconds behind the stage winner. He is eighth overall. Austrian Georg Reinprecht (Beta RR 390) finished fourteenth, 3 hours, 19 minutes and 16 seconds behind, including 49 minutes of penalty time according to the list. As he did not start the third stage, he stands 16th overall, 31 hours, 33 minutes and 43 seconds behind.

Motorcyclist with start number 21 on a dusty sand track, water in the background
Jeremy Knuiman (start number 21) at the Fenix Rally 2026. Archive photo, not from Leg 5, date taken not stated. Photo: photographer not named, via RallyTracks.nl

Still work to do in the paddock in the evening

Gerlach’s day was not over after the stage win. He had to repair his motorcycle: “I had an oil leak. On the left side, at the connection to the oil cooler.” According to him, the cause was a faulty O-ring, for which he found a replacement in the paddock.

A second problem was unresolved at the time of the recording. By his own account, Gerlach had lent out his Bluetooth adapter, and after it was returned the part no longer worked. He was waiting for technicians from the organisation. “Extremely annoying,” said Gerlach, recalling the old rule: “Never change your running system”.

Sources and photo credits

  • Geotraq/Fenix Rally 2026: Partial Unofficial Classification for SS5 (Day 5), as of 29.10.2026: rc.geotraq.de
  • Geotraq/Fenix Rally 2026: Rally Provisional Classification (Day 5), as of 29.10.2026: rc.geotraq.de
  • Fenix Rally Tunisia 2026: Competitor Briefing Leg 5 and start list Leg 5 (organiser documents)
  • RallyTracks.nl: “Third stage win in a row for Thijs and Van Tiel, penalty costs Knuiman the lead in Fenix Rally”, 28.10.2026: rallytracks.nl
  • Justin Gerlach: voice recording from the paddock, 29.10.2026
  • Photo 1: Jeremy Knuiman (start number 21) on a desert track; photographer not named; original source: RallyTracks.nl, published 28.10.2026; archive photo, not from Leg 5
  • Photo 2: Jeremy Knuiman (start number 21) on a sand track; photographer not named; original source: RallyTracks.nl; date taken not stated; archive photo, not from Leg 5
Published inGeneral
Dakar 2027 starts in Portugal and crosses MoroccoRally motorcyclist on a desert dune in evening light with a dust trail

Dakar 2027 starts in Portugal and crosses Morocco

Published by Thomas Menzel on 30. October 2026

Series: Dakar 2027

The 49th Dakar begins in the Algarve and ends in Marrakech. Organiser A.S.O. presented the replacement route for the edition moved from Saudi Arabia on Friday, 30 October 2026: a prologue and first competitive stage in Portugal, followed by eleven stages in Morocco. The rally is scheduled to run from 9 to 23 January 2027. According to the organiser, the dates are still subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).

Why the Dakar has to move

Only on Sunday, 25 October 2026, had A.S.O. announced that the 2027 rally would not take place in Saudi Arabia. According to Portugal Resident, the organisers described it as an exceptional, one-off decision resulting from recent developments in the region. According to the AFP report on Free Malaysia Today, the edition had originally been planned for 1 to 15 January 2027. The 50th Dakar in 2028 is planned to return to Saudi Arabia, where the rally has been held since 2020.

The Dakar thus returns to Africa for the first time since the 2007 edition. The rally planned for 2008, starting in Lisbon, was cancelled for security reasons, as Rallye Magazin summarises.

The schedule in Portugal

The starting point is the Algarve Stadium in Loulé-Faro, which holds around 30,000 spectators. The Portugal round of the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) of the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP) already finished there in April 2026. According to the organiser’s statement published by MFE Live, the schedule is as follows:

  • Tuesday, 5 January 2027: service park opens in Loulé-Faro
  • 6 to 8 January: administrative and technical scrutineering on site
  • Saturday, 9 January: prologue
  • Sunday, 10 January: first competitive stage, followed by a transfer to the port and an overnight ferry crossing to Nador in Morocco
  • Monday, 11 January: liaison stage to the first Moroccan bivouac in Bouarfa

These dates are likewise only provisional while WMSC approval is pending. Media coverage also contains differing information: an early version of the MFE Live editorial gave 8 January as the start date, and the Motorsport.com report published on Yahoo Sports gave 7 January. According to the organiser’s statement, racing begins with the prologue on 9 January.

Rally motorcyclist riding through sand dunes under a blue sky at the 2026 Dakar
Archive photo: motorcyclist at the 2026 Dakar in Saudi Arabia. Photo: A.S.O./F. Gooden/DPPI, via Portugal Resident

Route through Morocco to Marrakech

From Bouarfa in north-eastern Morocco, the route runs along the Atlas Mountains via Zagora to Agadir, where a rest day is planned. In the second week the rally heads deep into the south: Smara is a stage town, and according to the organiser the southernmost point is almost at Dakhla. Both places lie in the Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara, whose status under international law is disputed. The route then leads back through Smara to the north and along the Atlantic coast to the finish in Marrakech.

The key figures according to A.S.O.:

  • one prologue and twelve stages, of which one is in Portugal and eleven in Morocco
  • total distance: 7,824 kilometres
  • of which competitive stages: 4,341 kilometres
  • six different bivouacs
  • most competitive stages between 350 and 500 kilometres long

The 2027 Dakar is also the opening round of the 2027 FIA and FIM World Rally-Raid Championship. According to the organiser, Dakar Classic, Dakar Future Mission 1000 and the Dakar Saudi Next Gen programme are moving too.

Castera: “a real Dakar” despite the short deadline

Only a little over two months lie between the cancellation of the Saudi Arabia edition and the planned start. Dakar director David Castera defends the result: “Despite the shortened timeframe we had to cope with, we have designed a real Dakar,” he said, according to MFE Live (translated from French). The organiser’s statement promises a Dakar “without compromises”. Whether the Moroccan route can match earlier editions in sporting terms is an expectation of the organiser and will only become clear in January.

According to Castera, 350 participants have already entered. A breakdown by class, for example for the motorcycles, is not yet available. Castera also announced that the Dakar will be broadcast in more than 190 countries as usual.

Rally motorcyclist on a dune in evening light with a dust trail
Archive photo: Tosha Schareina (Monster Energy Honda HRC) on stage eight of the 2026 Dakar on 12 January 2026 near Wadi Ad-Dawasir, Saudi Arabia. Photo: A.S.O./F. Gooden/DPPI, via dakar.com

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Rodibook 2026: 1,500 Participants at the Premiere in Aínsa-BoltañaRider in a white helmet on an adventure bike on a dusty forest track at the Rodibook 2026

Rodibook 2026: 1,500 Participants at the Premiere in Aínsa-Boltaña

Published by Thomas Menzel on 29. October 2026

Last updated on 28. October 2026

The Rodibook held its 15th edition in Aínsa-Boltaña, in the province of Huesca, for the first time. According to a report by the Spanish magazine Motociclismo, 1,500 participants gathered in the Aragonese Pyrenees on 18 and 19 September 2026, mainly from Spain, France, Portugal and Italy. The review was published on 26 October 2026, just over five weeks after the event.

The Rodibook is not a race. It is a long-distance ride navigated by roadbook, with no timing or ranking. Organiser Jordi Esteve said at the presentation in November 2025, according to El Diario de Huesca, that anyone who completes the route receives nothing more than a diploma.

New location after 14 editions in Vielha

The first 14 editions took place in the Val d’Aran, with Vielha as the base. For the anniversary, the event moved to the Sobrarbe comarca. The centre was Aínsa Castle. According to El Diario de Huesca, the municipality provided the castle, the moat and the car park. The official name of the edition was “Rodibook by Huesca la Magia”, named after the tourism brand of the Huesca provincial administration, which acted as a sponsor.

The participants had already given the figure of 1,500 at the presentation in November 2025. Esteve then expected average spending of 375 euros per person, arriving at a volume of around 562,500 euros for the region. This is a forecast by the organiser. No evaluation after the event is available.

12 to 16 hours with a roadbook

Technical and administrative checks took place on Friday, 18 September. On Saturday, 19 September, according to Motociclismo, participants rode routes of 12 to 16 hours, either on tarmac or off-road. Long and short roadbook routes were on offer. A roadbook is a route book with directional arrows, symbols and stage sections in kilometres, as also used in rally raids such as the Dakar.

The new tarmac option was RodiTrack. It is navigated not by roadbook but by a GPX track, that is, a digitally recorded route. According to an announcement from May 2026, RodiTrack is meant to complement the classic roadbook, not replace it.

Motorcyclist on an adventure bike with its light on, on a dusty gravel track in front of a rock face
On a gravel track on the Rodibook 2026 off-road route. Photo: photographer not named, published by Motociclismo

The sources give differing figures for the distances. At the 2025 presentation, Esteve described the off-road route as the shorter variant at 300 kilometres. Motociclismo’s account, by contrast, speaks of around 400 kilometres of off-road riding. The magazine rode in the Pro category and took on all the “Extrem” variants. The sources do not make clear whether the difference is due to these variants or to later changes to the route.

According to Motociclismo, the roadbook was issued only digitally this time. Changes to the route the day before had made the paper version invalid. The report names the rally raid riders Pol Tarrés, Javi Vega and Joan Pedrero as guests.

Off-road on the KTM 1390 Super Adventure R

Rider in a white helmet on an adventure bike on a forest track against the light
Participant on the off-road route around Aínsa. Photo: photographer not named, published by Motociclismo

Motociclismo’s off-road desk “Moto Verde” says it has started at every off-road edition. In 2026 it took part on a KTM 1390 Super Adventure R, which KTM had provided to the magazine. The report names Ramón Navarro as the rider. The bike was fitted with chunky Mitas Enduro Trail-XT+ tyres. Motociclismo gives its weight as 238 kilograms. The magazine describes the route as very dry, dusty and with a lot of loose rock. The start was in the dark at the foot of Aínsa Castle, and the team reached the finish only after nightfall. Because the test bike came from the manufacturer, the report is not an independent test of the machine.

Levy per entry and outlook for 2027

Under the “Rodibook BetterWay” programme, 10 euros from every registration go to environmental, social and cultural projects in the host region, according to Motociclismo. In 2025, Esteve put the programme at 15,000 euros per edition. With 1,500 participants, that works out at exactly 10 euros per person.

Technical director Jordi Esteve told Motociclismo (translated from Spanish): “We changed area, introduced new forms of navigation and keep growing, but something remains unchanged: the thrill of picking up a roadbook, starting the bike and not knowing exactly what awaits us around the next corner.”

According to Motociclismo, preparations for the Rodibook 2027 are already under way. The date and venue are not yet known.

Sources and photo credits

Text sources

  • Motociclismo (Santi Ayala): “Rodibook 2026, 1500 pilotos hacen grande el evento”, 26 October 2026, motociclismo.es
  • Rodi (blog): “Quince años de ruta y descubrimiento: Rodibook 2026 en el Pirineo aragonés”, 29 May 2026, rodi.es
  • El Diario de Huesca: “Aínsa y Boltaña acogen en 2026 el Rodibook con 1.500 moteros y un impacto estimado de 560.000 euros”, 5 November 2025, eldiariodehuesca.com

Photo credits

  • Motorcyclist on a gravel track, Rodibook 2026 off-road route. Photographer not named. Source: Motociclismo, published on 26 October 2026.
  • Rider on an adventure bike on a forest track, Rodibook 2026. Photographer not named. Source: Motociclismo, published on 26 October 2026.
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Fenix Rally Leg 4 Douz-Douz: Knuiman wins, Gerlach second

Published by Thomas Menzel on 29. October 2026

Last updated on 28. October 2026

Series: Fenix Rally – The doorway to Sahara

Jeremy Knuiman won Leg 4 of the Fenix Rally around Douz and, according to the provisional classification, leads the Enduro class overall. Riding a KTM, the Dutchman took 3:32:13 hours. Justin Gerlach (JG Racing, KTM) finished 4 minutes and 46 seconds later. In the overall standings, Knuiman is 1 minute and 30 seconds ahead of Gerlach. The previous day, Gerlach had still led the overall classification by 3 minutes and 16 seconds, as the added stage times in the list show. The start list and the results list date Leg 4 to 27 October 2026. The list is marked as provisional.

Douz-Douz: technical start, then open tracks

Leg 4 was a loop starting and finishing in Douz, with a total distance of 305 kilometres. According to the organiser’s Competitor Briefing, 23.63 kilometres were the liaison to the start, 270.05 kilometres the special stage and 11.32 kilometres the return to Douz.

According to the briefing, the first part was very technical, with repeated crossings, rough sections and closely spaced hazards. Between kilometres 27 and 69, the organiser demanded the highest roadbook discipline and controlled speed.

Two neutralisations interrupted the timed section. The first began at kilometre 74.09 and lasted 50 minutes. At kilometre 87.53 there was a remote service with refuelling. The second neutralisation began at kilometre 200.27, lasted 45 minutes and was located near Douz. According to the briefing, the motorcycles have a range of 150 kilometres plus a 10 per cent reserve, so the fuel stop had to be planned in.

After the service, the route became more open, with fast desert tracks and CAP navigation, meaning riding on a compass heading. In the middle section, there were passages through villages, public roads and zones with speed limits. At kilometre 181.51, a two-second compulsory stop was scheduled.

Gerlach: “It was an insanely fast day.”

Gerlach summed up the day briefly in an audio statement (translated from German): “It was an insanely fast day.” The start took him through mountains, riverbeds and stony sections with many crossings, holes and washouts. “But that was really very, very good Dakar training,” the rider said. After that, it was “basically just wide open and always at the speed limit of 130”, on slippery, gravelly and twisting tracks where he found a good rhythm.

The day was not entirely free of problems. “At the end of the stage I felt a bit of vibration in the chassis, it felt strange.” At the afternoon service, he changed the oil and air filter, had the wheels changed and checked the engine mounts. Something had come loose there, which he has now tightened.

For the next day, which he describes as very sandy with many dunes, he had fresh tyres fitted. A new Mepho tyre went on the front because the old one had a clear cut, and a Mepho H400 Sand on the rear. He also changed the fuel distribution: he left the front tank almost empty and filled mainly the rear one. By his account, there are around 13 litres at the rear and 6 litres at the front as a reserve. That is supposed to be enough for the just under 120 kilometres to the refuel. “I also learned from my mistake on the second day,” Gerlach said, adding that he hopes to sink in less in the dunes.

Stage result Enduro (provisional)

Behind the leading pair, the rest of the field lost considerable time. Daan Veenendaal (GasGas) was third, 18 minutes and 11 seconds behind. Florian Willer (KTM) finished fourth, 19 minutes and 45 seconds behind, and Richard Wijntjes (Husqvarna) fifth, 25 minutes and 14 seconds behind.

  • 1. Jeremy Knuiman (NLD, KTM): 3:32:13
  • 2. Justin Gerlach (DEU, KTM), gap (h:min:sec): +0:04:46
  • 3. Daan Veenendaal (NLD, GasGas): +0:18:11
  • 4. Florian Willer (DEU, KTM): +0:19:45
  • 5. Richard Wijntjes (NLD, Husqvarna): +0:25:14

Gaspard Delsart (FRA, KTM), fourth overall after Leg 4, took 5:06:27 hours and lost 1 hour, 34 minutes and 14 seconds to Knuiman. The list shows a penalty of 2 minutes and 30 seconds for him, but does not give the reason.

The penalty column shows a total of 13 minutes and 30 seconds for Knuiman and none for Gerlach. The list does not make clear which stages the penalties relate to or whether the times already include them.

Overall standings after Leg 4 (Enduro, provisional)

  • 1. Jeremy Knuiman (NLD, KTM): 20:35:41
  • 2. Justin Gerlach (DEU, KTM), gap (h:min:sec): +0:01:30
  • 3. Daan Veenendaal (NLD, GasGas): +0:48:18
  • 4. Gaspard Delsart (FRA, KTM): +3:01:31
  • 5. Richard Wijntjes (NLD, Husqvarna): +4:10:58
  • 6. Melek Abdelkafi (TUN, KTM): +4:15:47
  • 7. Abdelkader Mebarki (DZA, KTM): +4:33:31
  • 8. Marian Augustyn (POL, Fantic): +4:49:40
  • 9. Pascal de Baar (NLD, KTM): +4:53:41
  • 10. Sara Jugla (FRA, Kove): +5:02:20

Veenendaal is therefore 48 minutes and 18 seconds behind Knuiman and 46 minutes and 48 seconds behind Gerlach. The provisional classification lists 16 Enduro riders.

Quads

In the quad category, Adam Krysiak (Polaris) won the stage in 3:43:43 hours, 19 minutes and 47 seconds ahead of Karol Slugocki. Krysiak leads the overall standings by 1 hour, 29 minutes and 37 seconds.

German-speaking starters

Florian Willer finished Leg 4 in fourth place. Overall, he is 12th, 5 hours, 42 minutes and 3 seconds behind. According to RallyTracks.nl, on Leg 2 he was given the maximum time and received a 27-minute and 40-second penalty for speeding and six missed waypoints.

The Austrian Georg Reinprecht (Beta) finished Leg 4 in tenth place, 50 minutes and 3 seconds behind Knuiman. Overall, he is 16th. For Leg 3, the results list shows a value of 28:40:00 for him, without explanation.

Audio quote: Justin Gerlach

Sources and image credits

  • Fenix Rally Tunisia 2026 + L’Oasis Original Classic: Competitor Briefing Leg 4, Douz Loop (organiser’s PDF)
  • Geotraq, timekeeping Fenix Rally 2026: start list Leg 4, dated 27 October 2026, and provisional classification after Leg 4, printed 28 October 2026
  • Justin Gerlach: audio statement on Leg 4 (editorial recording, consent given)
  • RallyTracks.nl: Knuiman wins Fenix Rally dune stage, Thijs and Van Tiel extend their lead, 27 October 2026 (background on Leg 2)
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Belgian double at the Bibione Sand Storm: Genot and Naveaux winRiders in a sand race cross a beach in a wide pack

Belgian double at the Bibione Sand Storm: Genot and Naveaux win

Published by Thomas Menzel on 28. October 2026

Series: FIM

Cyril Genot (Honda) has won the Moto class at the Bibione Sand Storm, the second round of the 2026 FIM Sand Races World Championship. The Belgian won the race on Sunday, 25 October 2026, and so took the event classification across both race days in Bibione (Italy). His compatriot Randy Naveaux (Yamaha) won the Quads on both Saturday and Sunday. This is reported by the world motorcycling federation FIM in its race report of 25 October 2026. Fredriksen remains the Moto World Championship leader despite his crash. The event was run on 24 and 25 October, according to the Italian motorcycling federation FMI.

Moto: Fredriksen’s crash decides Sunday

The Moto class ran a 90-minute race on Sunday. Dutchman Damien Knuiman (Yamaha) led at first, followed by defending champion Todd Kellett (Honda, Great Britain), Norwegian Håkon Fredriksen (Yamaha Monster Drag’on Tek), Frenchman Adrien Petit (Honda) and Genot. Fredriksen, Saturday’s winner and the championship leader, moved past Kellett and Knuiman into the lead early on, according to the FIM. The track was badly rutted after the quad race in the morning.

Genot stayed close. After nine laps he took the lead, and a lap later Fredriksen won it back under braking. On lap twelve the Norwegian crashed, and Genot pulled away. According to the FIM, he won by just under 38 seconds. Kellett, who had dropped back to fifth at one point after a slow refuelling stop, finished third: 20 seconds ahead of Knuiman, but 2 minutes and 15 seconds behind the winner. Petit was the last rider to complete 16 laps.

Riders in a sand race cross a beach in a wide pack, with sand spraying up behind them
The Moto field in the sand. Photo from the FIM report on the 2026 Bibione Sand Storm. Photo: Frederik Herregods Photography / FIM

Event classification and championship standings

With both days combined, the overall win in Bibione went to 27-year-old Genot, who had finished second on Saturday. Fredriksen was second in the event classification ahead of Knuiman and Kellett and, according to the FIM, extended his lead in the World Championship. According to Motocross.it and the FMI, Petit finished fifth. By the FIM’s own account, Genot is not yet a threat to Fredriksen in the championship, because he missed the opening round in Morocco.

Quad: Naveaux wins again

In the 60-minute quad race, the first nine riders each completed ten laps. The field stayed tightly bunched for a long time. After Briton Harry Walker (Yamaha), second on Saturday, retired after seven laps, Naveaux won by just under two and a half minutes from Belgian Oliver Vandendijck (Honda). Gleen De Swarte (Honda, Belgium) was third, more than 50 seconds further back. Dirk Schelfhout (Honda) and Frenchman Alois Waloszek (Yamaha) followed.

Schelfhout thus won the Quad Veteran class again; according to the FIM, he has won all four starts this season. Behind him, Nuno Goncalves (Yamaha, Portugal) and Axel Dutrie (Drag’on Yamaha, France) were second and third.

Moto Women: Martinez wins after Fontanesi retires

In the women’s race, guest starter Kiara Fontanesi (GASGAS) initially ran ahead of championship leader Mathilde Martinez (Honda, France). The six-time FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion retired around the halfway point. The FIM speaks of a suspected technical defect; according to the FMI and Motocross.it, her bike would not restart after the refuelling stop. Martinez, second on Saturday, won with 13 laps, one more than defending champion Mathilde Denis (Yamaha). According to the FIM, she again leaves Italy with maximum points. In the overall race classification, Martinez came 15th.

Mathilde Martinez rides a Honda with number 35 through deep sand
Mathilde Martinez at the 2026 Bibione Sand Storm. Photo: Frederik Herregods Photography, published by Infinity Sport

Veterans, Juniors and Vintage

  • Moto Veteran: Championship leader Daniel Drooghaag (KTM, Belgium), second on Saturday, won on Sunday ahead of Mathieu Reine (Yamaha) and Raphael Loridan (Yamaha) of France, and took the event classification. Saturday’s winner Maxime Jeanne (Yamaha) retired on lap seven.
  • Moto Junior: Goncalo Cardoso (KTM, Portugal) won the 45-minute Sunday race by 7 seconds from Ben Almagor (KTM, Israel). Because Almagor had won on Saturday, the event classification went to him. Defending champion Matheo Gerat (Husqvarna) was third on Sunday.
  • Moto Vintage: Pablo Henouille (Honda, France) won by one lap from Sebastien Antony (KTM) and Anthony Golleau (Honda). According to the FIM, it was his fourth win from four starts this season.

What happens next

The World Championship continues on Saturday and Sunday, 7 and 8 November 2026, with the Ronde des Sables in Loon Plage on the north French coast. The results in this article are based on the race reports of the FIM and the FMI. The official results lists could not be consulted.

Sources and photo credits

Published inAllgemeinFIM enabled
Diego Demelchori announces comeback: Desafío Ruta 40 in his sightsRally rider on a green Kawasaki with number 24 crossing a sand dune in front of mountains

Diego Demelchori announces comeback: Desafío Ruta 40 in his sights

Published by Thomas Menzel on 28. October 2026

Diego Demelchori wants to race motorcycles again. The rally rider from the Argentine province of Catamarca has announced his return after a lengthy break due to injuries, according to a report by the public broadcaster Catamarca Radio y Televisión on 23 October 2026. The report names the Desafío Ruta 40, races referred to as “Saar” and other competitions as his targets.

The report gives no specific dates, team or motorcycle. Whether Demelchori has already entered any particular event therefore remains open. It is also unclear what “Saar” refers to: neither Catamarca Radio y Televisión nor El Monterizo (21 October 2026) and Que Pasa Noticias (22 October 2026) explain the term further. Both outlets report the announcement with almost identical content; the Que Pasa Noticias text is largely word for word the same as the broadcaster’s report.

Rally rider on a green Kawasaki with number 24 crossing a sand dune in front of mountains
Photo published with the report on Demelchori’s return; location and date of the photo not stated, no recent picture confirmed. Photo: photographer not named, via Catamarca Radio y Televisión

Desafío Ruta 40 as a possible target

The Desafío Ruta 40 is the Argentine cross-country rally that counted in 2026 as the third round of the W2RC World Rally-Raid Championship. According to El Esquiu, the 2026 edition started on Sunday 24 May, with San Juan and San Rafael (Mendoza) as stage locations. The total distance was 2,939 kilometres, of which 1,522 kilometres were timed special stages. Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) won the motorcycle category. Alongside the world championship classes there were Open classes and, with the Desafío Ansenuza, a category for amateurs. The announcement does not say in which class or at which edition Demelchori intends to compete.

Five Dakar starts on a motorcycle

According to Catamarca Radio y Televisión, Demelchori is the first and so far only motorcyclist from Catamarca to have started the Dakar Rally five times. The report does not name the individual years. The broadcaster highlights the 2013 Dakar, which ran through Peru, Argentina and Chile, as the high point of his career. He is said to have finished 19th on stage eight and thus been the best Argentine of the day. In the overall motorcycle classification he finished 45th, which the broadcaster describes as the third-best Argentine.

Contemporary reports add to the picture: the local newspaper El Esquiu wrote on 4 January 2013 that Demelchori was contesting his second Dakar on a Kawasaki for Team RPM. The 2013 Dakar was therefore not his first participation; whether and when he started again afterwards is not documented in detail by the current reports.

Motorcyclist with number 164 raising an arm at a ceremony on a town square, surrounded by officials and spectators
Archive photo: rider with number 164 at a rally ceremony, published with the report on Demelchori; event and year not stated. Photo: photographer not named, via Que Pasa Noticias

Working as an FIM instructor during the break

According to the broadcaster’s report, Demelchori did not stay entirely away from motorsport during his recovery either. He works as an instructor for the world motorcycling federation FIM in training, and for years has organised events, workshops and training courses in Catamarca to promote motorcycle sport in the province. The reports available do not say which injuries forced him to take a break or when he last competed in a race.

Sources and image credits

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