The Olympia Rally 2026 officially kicked off, and Day 1 fully lived up to expectations: a demanding opening stage, designed not to overwhelm the riders, but to educate them. From the very first kilometer, it became clear that this race is not just about speed — it’s about correct decision-making, navigation, and composure.
The opening stage relied heavily on roadbook skills, forcing competitors to stay constantly alert, trust their instruments, and resist the temptation to ride purely on instinct. Day 1 was not about winning — it was about smart survival.
First to finish the stage was the Greek multiple Enduro champion #52 Kimon Karabelas (GR) on a YAMAHA Ténéré 700, followed by #45 Jacinto Vander Hoeven (BE) on a HUSQVARNA FE 501 and #422 Roman Gruber (AT) with a KTM EXC 500.
This year’s Olympia Rally features a strong Greek presence, with many Greek riders ready to showcase their abilities on the international stage. The Greek riders taking part are John Sevastopoylos, Giannis Trigkas, Konstantinos Chatzimichalis, Christos Pelousis, Georgios Stogiannos, Sokratis Zaimis, Harry Papageorgiou, Ilias Tsaniklidis, and Themistoklis Papameletiou. We wish them the best of luck for the demanding days ahead.
On Sunday afternoon, the ceremonial start took place in the city center, where ALL the riders were presented, accompanied by loud music, a large crowd, and an explosion of color!
Day 2 is the most navigation-intensive stage, featuring the longest roadbook ever created for such a race, with 438 “tulips” and an incredible 19 meters of paper!!!
It will be the day when the biggest gaps are created and where the most experienced — and the fastest — riders will stand out.
Olympia Rally
The Olympia Rally Team
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