Sébastien Loeb won the Rallye du Maroc for the first time in his career. The Frenchman finished ahead of Lucas Moraes (+5'43“) and Nani Roma (+6’15’’), who took the same position in 2023 on his last participation. This is Loeb's second victory in the world championship after his success at the 2022 Andalucía Rally. Dacia doubles its winnings in the race, which was won last year by Al Attiyah. Loeb becomes the sixth Frenchman to win after Jean-Louis Schlesser (2000-02 and 2008), Stéphane Peterhansel (2004, 2009-10), Bruno Saby (2005), Eric Vigouroux (2012), and Guerlain Chicherit (2022). This is the 11th time France has won since 2000.
Nasser Al Attiyah let his world championship crown slip after a thrilling day that delivered its verdict at the end of the Power Selective Section. The Dacia driver failed to stop at the last check of the season. A one-hour penalty gave Moraes his first world championship title.
In the Challenger category, Pau Navarro won ahead of Nicolas Cavigliasso (Vertical Motorsport), winner of the FIA championship (+2'29'‘). Puck Klaassen (G Rally, +17'08’') completed the podium. In SSV, Can-Am Factory scored a winning trio that was decided at the wire. “Chaleco” Lopez finished eleven seconds ahead of Jeremias Ferioli and Hunter Miller (+2'59''). Martin Macik in Trucks and the Moroccan crew of Ali Oubassidi and Hanane Amraoui (Africa Rally Team) in Open doubled their winnings by dominating the 2nd edition in a row.
BIVOUAC RADIO: RENDEZ VOUS END OF SEPTEMBER 2027
The 27th edition of the Rallye du Maroc will take place a little earlier than usual next year. The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will be the final round of the W2RC at the end of November. In order to allow teams the time to transport their vehicles from one round to the next, the calendar for the five events of the fifth season of the FIA-FIM World Championships has been slightly altered: see you from September 28 to October 3, 2026!
NUMBER OF THE DAY: 3
Tosha Schareina has won the Rallye du Maroc for the first time. This is his third victory in a World Championship round, following his triumphs in the Desafío Ruta 40 in 2023 and the bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal in 2024. Schareina becomes the third Spaniard to win after Isidre Esteve (2004-05) and Marc Coma (2006, 2009, and 2014).
Sébastien Loeb gives Dacia its third victory in rally raid. The Frenchman follows on from Nasser Al Attiyah‘s success in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge this season and his maiden victory for the team here in 2024. In the Sandriders’ first official outing, Al Attiyah and Loeb secured a one-two finish in Mengoub. Dacia remains unbeaten in the Rallye du Maroc.
THE RALLYE DU MAROC IN MOURNING
The motorcycle competitor Jorge Brandao, who was participating in the race for the second time, crashed in the dunes at kilometer 214. The Portuguese rider was rapidly taken in charge by the doctors of a medical helicopter and transported to the hospital in Erfoud, where tragically he passed away at 1:55 p.m.
The Rallye du Maroc offers its most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
QUOTES
Sébastien Loeb (The Dacia Sandriders): “A very good rally for us. No mistakes, no problems. We worked together with Edouard and refined our collaboration to improve it because we only did one rally before this one. Edouard is the world champion. He started the season with Nasser and finished it with me and I think he deserves the title, he did a great job here. Good preparation for the Dakar also. I haven’t won a lot of cross country rallies. This is only my second so I’m very happy.”
Lucas Moraes (Toyota Gazoo Racing W2RC): "If you had to write this ending, even the best screenwriter in the world wouldn't dare to do it! It's been a crazy day, we fought until the end, everything was decided in the last kilometer. That's why I love this sport. We've been on the podium three times in a row, and our consistency has finally paid off. I've hoped my whole life to become world champion, and I want to thank Toyota for believing in me and giving me the means to become the driver I am today. I hope Brazil will celebrate this, we're going to do it here tonight!"
Source: Rallye du Maroc
Photo: © Rallye du Maroc / DPPI / Julien Delfosse
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