From Erfoud, a deadly mix of navigation and technique put men and machines to the test. Great triumphs and dramatic twists before the grand finale.
Erfoud (Morocco), May 28, 2026. The grueling fourth stage of the FenekRally Spring 2026 has come to a close, cementing its place as one of the most intense and spectacular legs of the entire competition. Crews had to grit their teeth and dig deep into their repertoire to overcome a challenging total of 288 kilometres, including a 190-kilometer timed special stage that severely tested the endurance of both men and machines.
With engines roaring at the first light of dawn—specifically at 6:14 AM—the competitors left the Hotel Chergui to tackle an initial 33.5 km transport section before diving headfirst into the start of the special stage.
The first 100 kilometres flew by at a relentless pace, alternating between fast tracks and heavily broken, stony sections packed with hidden hazards capable of punishing the slightest lapse in concentration. At kilometre 102, the crucial Stop & Refueling point allowed teams to catch their breath before plunging into the literal “sand hell.” Indeed, the final part of the stage was a triumph of adrenaline and pure off-road driving: crews literally immersed themselves in long stretches of off-piste navigation, tackling spectacular sand rivers and the cordons of dunes that characterize this region.
The track percentages speak clearly, painting a picture of a demanding day: a stage dominated 49% by dirt, 30% by the treacherous desert sand, interspersed with 15% stony ground and 6% purely technical passages. The finish line of the special stage finally released the immense tension built up inside the cockpits, right before the final 65-kilometer transport section brought the caravan back to the Hotel Chergui bivouac. Today’s fourth leg confirmed the FenekRally as one of the most authentic and toughest off-road experiences on the international scene, where the line between success and retirement is as thin as a dune crest.
The verdicts of the track
Among the two-wheels, in MT1, a stellar performance came from Guillaume Pouget on a Kove 450 (#105), who clocked the fastest time, stopping the watch at an exceptional 3h10’43”. Right behind him was a fierce Geoffroy Lemercier, who brought his KTM Rally Replica Factory to the finish line in 3h13’17”. In the MT2 class, the top step of the podium went to Nicolas Bourrez riding the powerful KTM 890 ADV R. Moving to the four-wheels, the day in T1 crowned Remy Chapot and Johan Bourgeoir (#204), who managed to tame the course in 8h32’31”. In T2, an excellent performance came from Cartagena Panda Racing (#203), crossing the line aboard their Toyota FJ with a time of 7h39’13”. The victory in T3 was claimed by Quad Bike Evasion Cognac (#301): their Can-Am Maverick R dominated the competition, closing in 3h18’12”. The verdict in T4 was a thrilling battle fought down to the very last meter, where the Polaris RZR PRO XP of Team Unique Racing secured the win in 4h15’56”, closely shadowed by Mas Vale Tarde (#402), also on Polaris, reaching the finish at 4h18’27”. In Overland, Team Amnezia on a Toyota HDJ100 recorded the best performance of the day, followed closely by Jackal Racing, also competing on a Toyota.
Voices from the bivouac
David Bernard Fletcher (Team Unique Racing, #401, Cat. T4) – Stage winner on Polaris RZR PRO XP with a time of 4h15’56”: “The track started immediately with a relentless pace, proving to be a decidedly fast course, interspersed with several rather rocky and challenging sections. Despite the hazards, it turned out to be an excellent mix for the entire day. Moving forward, we crossed countless dry riverbeds that were completely sandy, before transitioning into a beautiful alternation with the desert dunes. All in all, it was truly a great day and a dynamic, very fast stage. It was an experience I enjoyed immensely, truly beautiful and exciting!”
Louis Berthelot (Team Landquad, #405, Cat. T4) on Can-Am X3: “Today was truly a super experience! We faced a complete stage: there was pure, fast track, but we also put ourselves to the test on the dunes, which made the route significantly more technical. It was an intense day where we learned a great deal and gathered a solid bag of experience for the future. All things considered, it was really beautiful and fun—one of those stages that leaves you with a huge smile plastered on your face.”
Matthieu Bataille (Sabba Team, #407, Cat. T4) on Can-Am X3: “We were on the special stage and everything was going perfectly. The pace was right and the feeling was great. Then, unfortunately, the unexpected happened: hitting a dune in an open section threw us sideways, causing us to roll over three times. Our race ends here, forced to retire. The best news? We are perfectly fine, without a single scratch. The buggy, unfortunately, wasn’t as lucky, and the damage won’t allow us to restart. Even though there’s a bit of a bitter taste, the memory of a beautiful adventure remains. We had a blast and we are heading home with a smile!”
The grand finale: the final act tomorrow
The curtain will fall on the FenekRally Spring 2026 tomorrow, May 29, with the highly anticipated fifth stage covering a total of 179 km. With both start and finish set at the Hotel Chergui, drivers will face a 57 km special stage entirely immersed in the dunes. It will be an amphitheatre of pure sand that will once again put extreme navigation to the test, definitively crowning the winners of this extraordinary edition.
