HIBAPRESS – A. Muhyawi
The countdown begins for the 26th edition of the Morocco Rally, one of the most prominent global sporting events in desert racing, scheduled to be held between October 10th and 17th, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God protect him.
This edition will connect the cities of Fez and Erfoud over a total distance of 2299 kilometers, including 1478 kilometers of special stages for speed, making it a major stop on the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) calendar.
The Morocco Rally is the second-largest desert rally in the world after the "Dakar Rally," which solidifies the Kingdom's position as a global destination for motorsports and adventure enthusiasts.
The official list of participants, which was revealed this week, includes 236 vehicles, including 107 in the International Automobile Federation (FIA) category, 122 in the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) category, and 7 vehicles in the (Open) category. The rally marks the end of the global season, giving it an additional historical dimension and an opportunity to crown the world champions on Moroccan soil.
Global Stars and Fierce Competition
Motorsport enthusiasts will be on a date with the most prominent stars in the world, as 11 racers from the first row participate in the motorcycles category, including stars from the official teams KTM, Honda, Hero, and Sherco. Among the most prominent names is the veteran Slovakian Stefan Svitko, who is participating in the Morocco Rally for the seventeenth time, along with the Australian champion Daniel Sanders, the title holder of the last edition and the winner of all W2RC championship rounds this season.
As for the cars category, the competition is open to all possibilities, with the participation of 44 vehicles from the "Ultimate" category, led by the giant teams Dacia Sandriders led by Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sebastien Loeb, and Ford M-Sport with the presence of the legends Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma, in addition to the strong presence of the Toyota Gazoo Racing and Overdrive Racing teams.
Qatari champion Nasser Al-Attiyah, the most decorated in the history of the Morocco Rally with seven titles, enters this year's edition under the pressure of strong competition from Brazilian Lucas Moraes and South African Henk Lategan, who excelled in the recent rounds of the World Championship.
Honorable Moroccan Presence
Morocco is represented in this edition by eight racers, including five in the Open category with local teams. Ali Obaydi is the most prominent among them, after he won the title of the last edition in the Open SSV category with navigator Hanan Amraoui, along with the young Omar Ben Hayoun in the same category, and navigator Ferdous Al-Fannan in the SSV FIA category. Moroccan Ashraf Zoulati also participates in the Rally 3 category on a KTM 450 motorcycle, in a step that reflects the growing national presence in this global event.
Fez… Capital of Desert Rallies
The city of Fez will host this major event with the participation of 45 nationalities from different continents, making it a destination for desert sports enthusiasts, and a center for the radiance of Moroccan sports and tourism.
In his farewell speech, Rally Director David Castera, who has overseen the organization since 2018, confirmed that the 2025 edition carries a special character for him, saying: "I thank Morocco, its people, and everyone who contributed to the success of this global event. The Morocco Rally will always remain loyal to the spirit of authenticity and professionalism that distinguishes it, and will remain a fundamental stop in the global motorsports calendar."
Event Program
The official preparations begin on October 8th with the opening of the technical assistance space at the Fez Grand Stadium, followed by special tests on October 9th and 10th, and then administrative and technical inspections on October 10th and 11th.
The official presentation of the teams and drivers will be held in the historic Bab Makina Square, before the start of the "Prologue" show stage on October 12th, after which five major stages will begin between Fez and Erfoud, leading to the coronation ceremony on October 17th.
With this new edition, the Morocco Rally continues to consolidate its position as a bridge that connects sports, professionalism, and tourism, embodying the image of Morocco as a land of challenge, diversity, and hospitality.
