The 302 km track severely tested drivers and vehicles. In the end, Pouget pulled off a masterpiece on two wheels, while Quad Bike Evasion Cognac dominated among the T3 cars.
Erfoud (Morocco), May 27, 2026. The FenekRally 2026 delivered one of the most intense and spectacular days of the entire competition today. With the start and finish set in the picturesque scenery of the Hotel Chergui, the caravan launched into a breathtaking 302-kilometer total route, ignited by an endless 240-kilometer special stage where pure speed merged with the most extreme navigation.
The route literally dominated the scene, putting the vehicles to the test with a track made of 73% fast dirt and 13% fine sand, interspersed with punishing rock fields and short asphalt sections. While the first part of the special forced competitors to navigate bumpy tracks up to the refueling point at kilometre 128, the second half turned into pure adventure. Navigators had to work overtime through off-piste sections, dry riverbeds, and majestic dune cordons before returning to the bivouac.
Today’s winners
Stage three delivered important verdicts, rewarding the determination and strategy of the crews through a true parade of winners capable of taming the pitfalls of the desert. In the two-wheel category, the MT1 class saw the star of rookie Guillaume Pouget shine; riding his Kove 450 (#105) for the GP Sandstorm Racing Team, he crossed the finish line with a time of 4h07’56”. Meanwhile, in the MT2 class, the top step of the podium went to Nicolas Bourrez on his KTM 890 ADV R (#106), representing the Bradpulay Racing Team.
Among the four-wheelers, the T1 class crowned Team Chap’s, who stopped the clock at 4h51’45” aboard their BMC. An excellent performance and the fastest time in the T2 category went to Cartagena Panda Racing (#203), finishing their race in 6h31’57”. Great excitement also fueled the T3 class, where the day’s victory was firmly claimed by Quad Bike Evasion Cognac on a Can-Am (#301) with a time of 4h21’01”. The T4 category saw the absolute triumph of Team Unique Racing, with the close-knit duo of David Bernard Fletcher and Laura Patricia Harris pushing their Polaris RZR PRO XP to the limit, flying across the finish line in 4h43’45”. Finally, in the Overland category, the stage victory was signed by Team Amnezia, who aboard their Toyota HDJ100 demonstrated unquestionable superiority on Morocco’s harshest terrains.
Voices from the bivouac
Guillaume Pouget (Bike MT1 Winner – #105): “My first rally, my first stage victory… I still can’t believe it! I started strong alongside Geoffroy Lemercier, keeping up a great pace until refueling. Then in the dunes, navigation became incredibly difficult: we got completely lost toward the end. I stayed calm, found the correct waypoint, and pushed on alone in the desert without knowing where I was. When I saw the finish line and found out I was first, it was fantastic. Tomorrow it’s my turn to open the track; it will be tough, but I want to keep learning.”
Adrien Leyreloup and Maxime Leproust (T3 Winners, Quad Bike Evasion Cognac – #301): “We started ahead of all the cars with an excellent pace, but the nightmare began in the dunes. Our Can-Am’s engine started overheating, the dashboard lights were all red, and the car kept going into limp mode. We had to stop countless times to let it cool down, losing at least twenty minutes. Watching your rivals speed past you while you’re stationary is a terrible feeling. We didn’t give up, though: as soon as the buggy restarted, we went back into attack mode. Luck was on our side when the two cars ahead stopped for a puncture; we took immediate advantage of it, pushing to the max and crossing the finish line first in T3. We are super satisfied; we remain firmly in the lead of the car category. Tonight, however, there’s no rest: a proper mechanics session awaits us on our #301 to be ready to bring the heat again tomorrow!”
Felix Plaza (T3 Driver, Bemar Team – #302): “Today’s stage was really well mapped out by the organization. There was a great mix of fast tracks, areas with lots of potholes where you had to preserve the vehicle, and about 15 km of dunes—not impossible but technical, where if you lost your rhythm, you risked losing half an hour. Three or four navigation points were very complex, and it was easy to get lost… I had the misfortune of…”
Belen Plaza (T3 Navigator, Bemar Team – #302): interrupting with a smile: “…of having a super talented navigator, right?!”
The next stage
The challenge of the FenekRally 2026 does not stop. Tomorrow, Thursday, May 28, drivers will face the fourth and decisive stage: a route of 288 total kilometres. The 190 km special stage will challenge competitors across treacherous dirt tracks, rocky areas, and off-piste sections. Strategy will be crucial at kilometre 102, where a mandatory stop for refueling is scheduled before the final sprint.
