The World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) is heading towards a thrilling conclusion. From October 10 to 17, the Rallye du Maroc will serve as the grand finale for the third consecutive year, with titles still up for grabs in nearly every class. For the Netherlands, an impressive line-up is set to take on the challenge, with Dutch representation on both two and four wheels.
Three titans, one throne
In the Ultimate (T1+) category, all eyes are on the championship-deciding final round. Reigning champion Nasser Al-Attiyah leads the standings with 140 points and already holds a record seven victories in Morocco. However, his lead is anything but comfortable this year: just nine points separate him from top contender Henk Lategan, who has had a standout season with a second place at Dakar, a win in South Africa, and another podium in Portugal. Just one point behind him sits teammate Lucas Moraes, who proved his speed and form with a win in Portugal.
These three giants will battle it out on Moroccan soil for the title of 2025 World Champion. Toyota has already secured the constructors’ crown but is also hunting for the individual gold. The stakes couldn’t be higher, especially with legendary names like Sébastien Loeb, Cristina Gutiérrez, Carlos Sainz, Mattias Ekström, Nani Roma, and Yazeed Al Rajhi also on the entry list.
Toyota Gazoo Racing enters a full team with Lategan, Moraes, and Quintero. The Dacia Sandriders are also fully represented, including Al-Attiyah and Loeb, while Ford M-Sport is fielding no fewer than four cars with Sainz, Roma, Ekström, and Guthrie. Other well-known teams like Overdrive Racing, Century Racing, and X-raid Mini JCW complete a deep and diverse field.
For Al-Attiyah, more than just a title is at stake. His dominance in Morocco is historic, but with the rising generation closing in, what could be his eighth victory might prove the hardest-fought of all. It promises to be a dramatic climax to a season where the margins grew smaller and the competition stronger.
Dutch participants in the FIA categories
The Netherlands is well represented in Morocco, with a mix of Dakar veterans, ambitious challengers, and competitive teams:
Ultimate (T1+)
- Janus van Kasteren & Marcel Snijders – Century CR7-T
- Maik Willems & Arjan van Tiel – Toyota Hilux
- Rik van den Brink & Gydo Heimans – Century CR7
- Michiel Becx & Wouter de Graaff – Century CR7
- Roger Grouwels & Rudolf Meijer – Century CR7
- Mike van Eikeren & Jasper Riezebos – Century CR6
Challenger (T3)
- Kees Koolen & Jurgen van den Goorbergh – G Rally Team OT3
- Paul Spierings & Jan Pieter van der Stelt – Taurus EVO Max
- Lex Peters & Mark Salomons – Arcane T3
- Rine Streppel & Lisette Bakker – Arcane T3
- Wouter Rosegaar (as co-driver for Richard Aczel) – BRP Can-Am Maverick R
Truck (T5)
- Gert Huzink, Hugo Kupper & Mario Kress – Renault C460
- Kay Huzink, Joel Ebbers & Martin Roesink – Renault C460
Sanders going for the Grand Slam
In the FIM category, the bike title has already been secured by Daniel Sanders of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. The Australian dominated the season with four consecutive wins and a record 15 stage victories. In Morocco, he’s chasing something unprecedented: a Grand Slam, five wins from five W2RC rounds — a feat never achieved before. It would seal Sanders’ reputation as the rally rider of the year.
Behind Sanders, the battle for second place is still alive. KTM’s Luciano Benavides currently holds second with 69 points, closely followed by Honda riders Tosha Schareina and Ricky Brabec, both at 66 points. The constructors’ championship is also intense: KTM leads with 182 points, while Honda sits at 152. KTM could complete the ultimate clean sweep in Morocco with titles in RallyGP, Rally2, the manufacturer’s title, and Rally2 teams.
The Rally2 category has the largest field, with no fewer than 103 entries. Young Spaniard Edgar Canet (Red Bull KTM) leads the standings, followed by Michael Docherty (BAS World KTM) and Tobias Ebster (Hero MotoSports). Many riders in this category compete without support in the classic “malle moto” style. Notable names include India’s Aishwarya Pissay, aiming for her first Dakar qualification, and Noa Sainct, son of the legendary Richard Sainct.
Dutch riders in FIM Rally2
The Netherlands is represented by two riders in Rally2: Ian Olthof and Deen Munsters, both riding Honda CRF450s for HT Rally Raid. For both men, Morocco serves as critical preparation for Dakar 2026. Even though the title fight is already decided, the mix of historic milestones, tightly contested podiums, and strong Dutch participation ensures a thrilling conclusion to the FIM season.
Rallye du Maroc 2025 – Stage schedule
- October 12: Prologue (82 km total / 19 km SS) – sets the starting order
- October 13: Stage 1 – Fez to Erfoud (780 km / 300 km SS)
- October 14: Stage 2 – Erfoud loop (391 km / 304 km SS)
- October 15: Stage 3 – Erfoud loop (325 km / 322 km SS)
- October 16: Stage 4 – Erfoud loop (376 km / 284 km SS)
- October 17: Stage 5 + Power Selective Section (345 km total / 249 km SS)
Final edition for David Castera
For beloved race director David Castera, this will be his final Rallye du Maroc at the helm. From 2026 onwards, the organization will be taken over by Pro Dunes. Castera: “Thank you for making the Rallye du Maroc what it is today. I leave with peace of mind.”
