Speed, navigation and hard braking on the limit in stage 4: now the final verdict belongs to Erg Chebbi.

The fourth day of the FenekRally raised the bar for both excitement and competition, delivering an explosive mix of ultra-fast tracks and technical sections across the firm sand of Ouzina. From nail-biting duels decided by seconds among the bikes and T4s to bumper-to-bumper battles in the Overland class, the drivers gave it their all to reach the top. It was a collective high-adrenaline effort that propels the caravan towards the final, decisive chapter in the desert.

Today’s standings

In MT1, Tom Deest set the fastest overall time aboard his Kove 450 Rally, stopping the clock at 3h09’48” and claiming the top spot on the podium. Behind him, a fierce duo on KTM 450 EXC-Fs rounded out the podium places, with Josep Pedró Subirats and Arnau Lledó battling all the way to the finish line. Pure spectacle in the MT2 class as well, where Marc Calmet asserted his dominance. Riding his KTM 500 EXC-F, Calmet mastered the challenges of the route, finishing in 3h15’49”. Completing the podium celebrations were the outstanding performances of Andrea Gava and Carlo Pettinato (Dueruote Racing Team), both riding Kawasaki KLE500s.

Adrenaline ran high in the T1 category too, where Christian Remond Kobloth (Sodicars Racing) delivered a stellar performance at the wheel of his Ford to take the stage victory. Behind him, the duo of Richard Gonzalez and Frank Maldonado showcased great teamwork and grit, driving their BRP/Can-Am X3 straight onto the second step of the podium. In T2, the crew of Sergio Simon Macho and Ivan Rodriguez Villarubia laid down the law: behind the wheel of their Mitsubishi Montero, they crossed the finish line in 5h46’05”, leaving everyone behind and setting the fastest time in the category.

A blistering pace was set in T3, where Raf Henri Herman and Daniel Camara delivered a masterclass performance aboard their GPR 24, stopping the clock at a brilliant 3h35’18”. At a distance, but completing a solid and highly consistent race, Felix Plaza and Raul Bota took second place, crossing the finish line in 4h16’34” in their BRP/Can-Am X3 MMP.

It was a razor-thin battle with twists and turns right down to the final meter in the T4 category, where victory was decided by mere seconds. Snatching the top step of the podium was the crew of David Bernard Fletcher and Laura Patricia Harris, who brought their Polaris RZR PRO XP across the line with a time of 4h00’03”. A hard-fought victory: just over a minute behind (4h01’40”), Morgan Buissard and Laurent Cheraki took second place in another Polaris RZR PRO XP after a breathtaking duel. Closing out this high-voltage podium with a time of 4h02’10” were Thomas Gayraud and Antony Usai, who squeezed every bit of horsepower out of their Sprintbox prototype to secure an excellent third place.

In Overland, two extraordinary crews shared the top step of the podium with 159 points apiece: Christian Beyeler and Monika Beyeler-Rohrbach, flawless aboard their iconic Land Rover Defender 300 Tdi, and the duo of Llorenç Mas Lázaro and Jordi Llussà Torra, sharp behind the wheel of their Isuzu Dmax 3.0. Completing a podium separated by the narrowest of margins, crew #610 representing Cousin Fox Racing finished with 158 points, showcasing immense grit and character aboard their powerful Polaris Sportsman 1000.

Drivers’ quotes

Dominique Salignat / Valter Pinna (#403 – Polaris RZR PRO XP – Team Aube Rhone): “This fourth stage was a true spectacle: ultra-fast tracks alternating with highly technical and demanding sections through dry riverbeds and breathtaking dune landscapes. Tomorrow the final act awaits us: a full day immersed in the desert. It has been a fantastic experience so far. This rally manages to combine a warm, family atmosphere with excellent safety and organization, backed by great helpfulness from both the staff and the locals. A special shout-out goes to the Polaris RZR PRO XP we are racing with: high-performing, super fun, and always top-notch.”

Josep Pedró Subirats (#115 – KTM 450 Rally – Spidi-Pedregà Team): “Today was a really great day: we tackled a section of spectacular, smooth dunes, made even more enjoyable by the rain that packed the sand tight. That was followed by a section of pure, highly physical navigation through the bushes known locally as ‘camel grass.’ Then came super fast tracks at 130 km/h that decided the outcome of the stage. All three of us (the other two riders being Arnau Lledó and Tom Deest) finished extremely close at the front, making for a truly exciting finish. Tomorrow we face the final stage, which should be all about the dunes.”

Leon Tournier (#113 – KTM 350 EXCF – Monobloc Racing Team): “A stage to remember, perhaps the most beautiful and thrilling of the entire rally. We blasted through ultra-fast tracks before taking in the unique, breathtaking scenery of the Ouzina dunes. The rain overnight worked a small miracle, packing the sand tight and giving us an even smoother, more precise, and fun ride. But the real challenge comes tomorrow: plenty of dunes await us. Ready to give it everything!”

Romain Ferracci (#104 – Husqvarna 350 FE – Monobloc Racing Team): “For me, the best stage of the rally. We had an absolute blast on the fast tracks before entering the incredible spectacle of the Ouzina dunes. The overnight rain made the sand firmer, giving us a fantastic ride.”

Stage 5: the final act of FenekRally

Tomorrow, September 18, sees the final act of FenekRally 2026. On paper, it may look like “only” 70.91 kilometers — 67.20 of which are special stage —, but anyone who knows the desert knows that the dunes of Erg Chebbi give no free passes. It will be a day of pure adrenaline: the last chance to defend a hard-won position, launch a final assault on the standings, or simply open the throttle wide to savor every single meter of this adventure. Among sand, passion, and sheer determination, the finish line is waiting. Ready to give it all!