The final stage of the 26th edition of the Rallye du Maroc took place over a 311 km loop around Erfoud, with a 216 km special stage, Tosha Schareina (Monster Energy Honda HRC) won the race, securing his third stage victory of the week. Edgar Canet (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) won Rally2 and took the World Cup title. In Rally3, Noa Sainct (Nomade Racing) showed his potential in the discipline.
Tosha Schareina won three stages of the Rallye du Maroc in 2023 and the same number in 2024, without managing to take the overall victory. Today, the Spaniard’s third stage win was enough to win the overall. Schareina finished ahead of Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, +3'12“) and Ricky Brabec (Monster Energy Honda HRC, +9'37”). By beating the winner of the previous edition, the factory Honda rider ended the Australian's run of four victories in 2025, which enabled him to become world champion before the final. Honda wins in Morocco for the fourth time: Schareina succeeds Cyril Despres (2000), Paulo Gonçalves (2013), and Pablo Quintanilla (2021).
In Rally2, Edgar Canet did not go for the knockout against Michael Docherty (BAS World KTM) and Konrad Dabrowski (Duust Rally). With his first world cup title at stake, the Spaniard played it safe. This strategy earned him victory ahead of the South African (+15'36“) and the Pole (+16''47”). In Rally3, Noa Sainct made his debut in a World Championship round. The son of the two-time winner of the bike category on the Rallye du Maroc (2001-02) won ahead of Thomas Zoldos (Aub'Moto, +7'41''), who was slowed by injury but can take comfort in his World Cup victory. Achraf Zoulati (FRMM) finished just off the podium for his first ever edition.
The 27th edition of the Rallye du Maroc will take place a little earlier than usual next year. The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will be the final round of the W2RC at the end of November. In order to allow teams the time to transport their vehicles from one round to the next, the calendar for the five events of the fifth season of the FIA-FIM World Championships has been slightly altered: see you from September 28 to October 3, 2026!
Tosha Schareina has won the Rallye du Maroc for the first time. This is his third victory in a World Championship round, following his triumphs in the Desafío Ruta 40 in 2023 and the bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal in 2024. Schareina becomes the third Spaniard to win after Isidre Esteve (2004-05) and Marc Coma (2006, 2009, and 2014).
THE RALLYE DU MAROC IN MOURNING
The motorcycle competitor Jorge Brandao, who was participating in the race for the second time, crashed in the dunes at kilometer 214. The Portuguese rider was rapidly taken in charge by the doctors of a medical helicopter and transported to the hospital in Erfoud, where tragically he passed away at 1:55 p.m.
The Rallye du Maroc offers its most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
QUOTES
Tosha Schareina (Monster Energy Honda HRC)): “It feels so good to have won the race. I'm very happy for the team. Today, our mission was to go all out, and we finally clinched our first victory of the year. Now it's time for the Dakar.”
Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing): “After winning the championship, I really wanted to focus on this race. I know I’m riding well and when I ride well, I'm fast. I just need to correct my mistakes and improve. I let myself get distracted and let everyone down. It's good to get a kick in the pants, it will motivate me to come back stronger. I know where I can improve and improve the bike. Even though it's a physical sport, you also have to be mentally strong, so I'm going to go home and work on that."
Edgar Canet (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing): “I'm super happy to have finished the Rallye du Maroc and to end my Rally2 career as champion. It's the best way to say goodbye to this fantastic season. Now I need to progress, gain more experience, and win the RallyGP championship in the coming years. I'm at the best level I've ever been at, and I have two months before the Dakar to continue training and improving."