The Dacia Sandriders are gearing up for the Morocco Rally at the end of this month, determined to continue their pursuit of a third consecutive title in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. After three of the five rounds in the season, the Dacia Sandriders are in a strong position across all three championships, thanks to an impressive start to the season that included victories at the Dakar Rally in January and the Rally-Raid Portugal in March.
They have extended their streak of podium finishes in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), which began at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2025, by securing a third-place finish at the Desafío Ruta 40 in Argentina this May. Currently, the Dacia Sandriders lead the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship for Constructors, while also topping the Drivers and Navigators standings, with Sébastien Loeb and Édouard Boulanger at the forefront. However, Nasser Al-Attiyah trails his teammate Loeb by just three points, and Fabian Lurquin is also three points behind his partner Boulanger.
The upcoming Morocco Rally, scheduled from September 29 to October 3, is particularly significant for the Dacia Sandriders, as they achieved their first-ever victory at this event in 2024. A year later, Édouard Boulanger clinched the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship title for Navigators, while Nasser Al-Attiyah finished as the vice-champion for Drivers.
In anticipation of the season's final two rounds, the Dacia Sandriders have made adjustments to their crew lineup. Pablo Moreno, who previously co-navigated with fellow Spaniard Cristina Gutiérrez, will now partner with Lucas Moraes, who became the world champion during last year's Morocco Rally before joining the Dacia Sandriders. Additionally, it was mutually agreed during the summer that Gutiérrez would depart from the Dacia Sandriders. A key member of the team since its inception in 2024, she is now set to embark on a new challenge in her career, with her contributions being a significant part of the team's journey.
As with all W2RC events, the three Dacia Sandriders participating in the Morocco Rally will be fueled by sustainable ARAMCO fuel and equipped with BFGoodrich tires.
Team Principal Tiphanie Isnard's Perspective
"The Morocco Rally holds a special significance for the Dacia Sandriders. We have been unbeaten since our very first participation in 2024, and our ambition is to continue this winning streak. However, above all, we must remain focused and humble. We arrive in Morocco leading the Drivers, Navigators, and Constructors World Championships, and maintaining these positions is our top priority. This rally also marks a new chapter for Lucas, with Pablo joining him for the first time in his Dacia Sandrider. From the very beginning of our program, we have been committed to creating the best possible environment for our athletes to express their full potential, and this new partnership aligns with that goal. At the same time, Dennis has played a crucial role in our journey, and we continue to support him as he moves on to a new challenge in his career. We know what we are capable of, but we also understand that in rally-raid, nothing is ever guaranteed. Therefore, we will approach the Morocco Rally with the same determination, team spirit, and humility that have accompanied us since the start of this incredible adventure."
Morocco Rally 2026: A Brief Overview
Starting from Agadir, a seaside resort located on Morocco's southwestern coast, the Morocco Rally will head eastward to Zagora on the first stage, taking place on Tuesday, September 29. Located in the Drâa Valley, Zagora will host the following four days of the event and is returning to the route for the first time since 2024. The second stage on Wednesday, September 30, will take place west of Zagora, while the third stage on Thursday, October 1, will take competitors northeast from the bivouac. The penultimate stage on Friday, October 2, will also head northeast from Zagora, featuring a timed section of 384 kilometers—the longest of the rally. The fifth and final stage on Saturday, October 3, will offer the crews a course south of Zagora. While some portions of the route will be familiar to competitors, organizers have announced several new features, promising days that will be "challenging and particularly intense."
As reported by media.dacia.com.
