The Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team is gearing up for a spectacular debut at the Carta Rallye in Morocco, which runs from April 14th to 20th. Following their heroic performance at the Africa Eco Race earlier this year—where Alessandro Botturi missed out on victory by just 26 seconds after an exhausting 6,000 kilometres—Botturi and his team are back at the starting line, this time joined by none other than motocross legend Gautier Paulin.
New Adventure, New Bike
For the first time, the Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team will line up at the start of the Carta Rallye, a seven-day rally covering over 2,000 kilometres through Morocco’s breathtaking yet treacherous landscapes. The team will also debut the brand-new Ténéré 700 Rally GYTR, a bike purpose-built for gruelling rally raids. Based on the 2025 edition of the Ténéré 700 Rally, this machine features the renowned CP2 engine, an extra-robust yet lightweight steel frame, and fully adjustable KYB suspension. In short: a pure rally bike, ready for the real deal.
Gautier Paulin Joins as guest rider
This time, seasoned rider Alessandro Botturi will be joined by Gautier Paulin, a giant in the world of motocross. The Frenchman, who boasts nine MXGP victories and an impressive six Motocross of Nations (MXoN) titles—five as a rider and one as team manager—is taking on his first-ever rally raid. Paulin has been preparing intensively over recent weeks, focusing especially on mastering unique rally skills such as navigating with a roadbook. He has also played an active role in the development of the new Ténéré 700 Rally GYTR.
Ténéré Spirit Experience strengthens the team
In addition to the official factory team, several riders from the Ténéré Spirit Experience program will also take part in the rally. Among them is Belgian rider Nicolas Charlier, who made waves earlier this year at the Africa Eco Race with a stage victory. He will compete alongside other TSE riders in the Race category. There is also a Raid category, offering TSE participants the chance to experience the thrill of rallying without the pressure of the stopwatch.
From Plage Blanche to Merzouga
The Carta Rallye kicks off on April 14th on Morocco’s eastern coast at Plage Blanche, winding northward through the Sahara via M’Hamid before finishing on April 20th in the legendary dunes of Merzouga. It promises to be a true test of endurance for both rider and machine, but with their new equipment and formidable team spirit, the Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team is eager to rise to the challenge.
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