A selective 278 km route put crews to the test with pinpoint navigation and hidden hazards: here is how the first stage unfolded.
Erfoud, Morocco (May 25, 2026). The FenekRally Spring 2026 gets straight to the heart of the action, giving drivers a true baptism of fire in the opening leg of the competition. A demanding 278-kilometers total route -with its beating heart being the 202-kilometer timed special stage- propelled the rally caravan into an all-out off-road adventure, characterized by an extraordinary variety of terrain and landscapes. The terrain did not give an inch: dominated by dirt for 83% of the way, it was rendered unpredictable and treacherous by the remaining percentage of sand and sharp rock crawls.
Stage Report: One Trap After Another
After a short initial transport section of 4.7 km from the Hotel Chergui, competitors opened the throttle on what were initially very fast tracks, which were soon interrupted by the first hazards hidden in dry riverbeds. Upon entering the second sector (up to km 41), the rhythm underwent a sudden change due to speed-limited zones and high-risk river crossings. Shortly after came the first taste of pure desert driving: two intense kilometres of entirely off-piste navigation, immersed in a literal “river of sand.”
Once past the dune trap, the special stage became fast-paced again until kilometre 90, where the “Stop & Refueling” point gave both men and machines a moment to breathe. The second part of the race was no less demanding: tight passes, tricky waypoints, and a brief two-kilometre stretch that was narrow and completely broken up, where pinpoint driving precision made all the difference. After crossing the finish line at kilometre 202, drivers had to maintain maximum concentration to tackle the final 71 kilometres of the liaison section before enjoying a well-deserved rest at the bivouac by the Hotel Chergui.
Voices from the competitors
Geoffroy Lemercier (FRA) | KTM 450 Rally Replica Factory (Team Geoff’Road, #101) 1st place, MT1 category (3h20’46”) “I am really happy to be back at the start of the FenekRally. Due to some mistakes in yesterday’s prologue, I was forced to start last, but today the race went incredibly well: the navigation wasn’t excessively complex and the hazards were excellently marked. This allowed me to push and make a comeback, ultimately securing the stage win. It’s a huge satisfaction, but let’s keep our feet on the ground—the rally is still long. Leaving the result aside, there is a wonderful atmosphere here, and that is why I return to the FenekRally every year with great pleasure.”
Pascal Massoutier (FRA) | Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ100 (Team Massou Family, #601), racing with his wife Virginie 1st place, T2 category (5h00’57”) “A highly positive day. Our Toyota’s mechanics responded perfectly. From a navigation standpoint, it was a near-flawless job -after all, I managed it!- supported by impeccable driving. At the end of the stage, we arrived without any penalties while crossing beautiful landscapes. We appreciated the pinpoint precision of the roadbook and the wonderful spirit of solidarity among the various crews. The organization? Simply perfecto, muy perfecto!”
José Antonio Ibáñez Piña (ESP) | Co-driver of the Toyota FJ #203 2nd place, T2 category (5h23’38”) “In the first few kilometres, the tension made us a bit nervous; we wanted to start on the right foot. By the middle of the race, however, we had already found our ideal rhythm and were operating at 100%. It was a highly technical route with a lot of rock and little sand, which is actually our preferred terrain. There were several dangerous spots, but the organization marked them all flawlessly. An extremely fun stage that gives us the right energy to keep pushing.”
Looking Ahead to Tomorrow: Stage 2
The battle in the desert grants no respite. Tomorrow, May 26, the second stage of the FenekRally Spring 2026 will raise the bar even higher. Drivers will face a total route of 330 km, featuring a 213 km special stage, with both the start and finish lines set once again at the Hotel Chergui. The track (84% dirt, alternating with tricky sections of sand, dunes, and rocky areas) will offer highly varied and complex navigation. Fast tracks will alternate with off-piste passages in dry riverbeds, with a mandatory refuelling stop positioned at kilometre 126.
