The Africa Eco Race is just around the corner. From January 24 to February 7, 2026, the seventeenth edition of this rally will take place, staying true to the spirit of the original Paris-Dakar adventure. With a new route, a record number of participants, and an unmatched level of competition, this edition promises to be more spectacular than ever.
From the Mediterranean to the sands of Senegal
After crossing by ferry from France, participants will gather on January 24 in Tangier, Morocco, for technical checks and the official start ceremony. The prologue follows a day later. Then the true adventure begins: nearly six thousand kilometers through the deserts of Morocco and Mauritania, all the way to the mythical Lac Rose in Senegal.
The rally starts with five tough stages across Morocco, followed by the traditional rest day in Dakhla on the Atlantic coast. Then comes Mauritania, with five brutal dune stages, before the race concludes with the final sprint through Senegal toward Dakar.
289 competitors from 27 countries
With 289 entries, the 2026 edition boasts the largest field in its history. Spread across motorbikes, cars, SSVs, trucks, historic vehicles, and the non-competitive RAID category, the rally forms a caravan of 750 people and over 300 vehicles. The mix of nationalities, experience levels, and vehicle types reflects the broad appeal of this authentic rally-raid.
Motorbikes: Showdown among the big machines
The motorbike category features a high-level battle. Defending champion Jacopo Cerutti (Aprilia Tuareg) faces off once again against his main rival, Alessandro Botturi (Yamaha Ténéré), a two-time winner and twice runner-up behind Cerutti. Several other strong challengers are on the grid, including Dakar veterans, rally winners, and rising stars like Noa Sainct, son of the legendary Richard Sainct.
A notable development is the entry of three fully electric bikes. Among them, Maarten Buitenhuis takes on the challenge aboard his Havocker Electric Dirtbike. With dedicated battery-swap support vehicles, they plan technical pit stops every hundred kilometers. The Africa Eco Race thus serves as a testing ground for future rally technology.
Dutch motorbike competitors:
- 31 – Gerben Lieverdink
- 66 – Hille Dalstra
- 92 – Stephan Savelkouls
- 96 – Lejon Fokkema
- 98 – Robert sr. van Pelt
- 99 – Robert jr. van Pelt
- 126 – Maarten Buitenhuis
Cars: Familiar faces return
The car category is just as competitive as it is diverse. Well-known teams return, driven by redemption or new ambition. Among them are Belgian duo Vincent Vroninks and Dave Berghmans (Nissan), the Czech team Ourednicek/Bartak (Toyota), and Polish driver Magdalena Zajac with her co-driver in the Hilux. The Feryn Rally Team brings three cars to the start, including Koen Wauters and Tom De Leeuw.
A highlight will be the participation of 85-year-old Japanese rally legend Yoshimasa Sugawara, who has not missed a Dakar since 1983 and is now also a fixture in the Africa Eco Race.
Dutch car competitor:
- 235 – Bert Heskes
SSV: Fast, light, and tactical
The SSV category is rapidly growing, with a field full of experienced teams and former winners. Defending champion Pierre Lafay returns with his Can-Am Maverick R but faces tough competition from Martijn van den Broek and Mike Daas, last year’s runners-up, and Philippe Champigné, who completed the 2025 podium.
Former bikers like Eric Bernard and Martin Benco also switch to SSVs. This class promises a fierce contest where speed, skill, and strategy will be decisive.
Dutch SSV competitors:
- 270 – Marcel van Berlo
- 271 – Sander Derikx
- 272 – Bob Herber
- ??? – Martijn van den Broek
Trucks: Dutch teams carry the flag
Five truck teams are set to battle it out, with Dutch crews once again playing a key role. The 2025 winners, the Rainbow Truck Team with Gerrit Zuurmond, Tjeerd van Ballegooy, and Klaas Kwakkel, return to defend their title.
Other Dutch teams include Greenteam Panhuijzen and Truckteam Muller. This category is known for its raw power, mechanical reliability, and extreme endurance – both for man and machine.
Dutch truck competitors:
- 400 – Gerrit Zuurmond
- 405 – Mike Panhuijzen
- 410 – Martin Roeterdink
Historic: Back to the roots
The Historic category revives the spirit of the original rallies. Classic Dakar machines and passionate teams add a nostalgic and emotional layer to the event. Elodie and Jonathan Metge will race in a Range Rover identical to the one their father René Metge used to win the Dakar in 1981. The Brandenburg family returns with their Porsche 911s, and Dakar regular Philippe Jacquot joins once more.
More than a race
Africa Eco Race 2026 promises to be an edition where sport, emotion, technology, and adventure meet. From smoke trails to solar panels, from desert sands to electric innovation, this rally is more than just a race. It is a journey through the heart of Africa, keeping the legend alive from Tangier to Dakar.
