From October 12 to 17, Esteve and co-driver Txema Villalobos will face nearly 2,300 kilometers, including 1,478 against the clock, in a rally known for its demanding navigation.
“In recent years we’ve had good results here — it’s a rally that suits our style. It has technical tracks, dunes, and lots of navigation, which we really enjoy.”
There’s no rest for the Repsol Toyota Rally Team. Just two weeks after competing in the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, the Spanish duo are back in action — this time in the Moroccan sands, driving their Toyota Hilux T1+, powered by the renewable fuel developed at the Repsol Technology Lab and successfully tested in Portugal.
In Morocco, the goal is clear: run a clean race, maintain a strong pace, and continue building momentum ahead of the 2026 Dakar Rally. Their recent form inspires confidence — Esteve and Villalobos finished 12th in the Ultimate class in 2024 and achieved their best W2RC result in 2022, taking 7th overall.
The Moroccan event has become the ultimate test bed before the Dakar, mirroring Saudi Arabia’s terrain and attracting an elite field — over 100 vehicles, with 44 entries in the Ultimate category alone.
“The Rally of Morocco is one of the key events of the year,” explains Esteve. “It’s very different from Portugal — tougher terrain, more navigation, and all the top teams are here. It’s a great chance to see where we stand and keep preparing for Dakar.”
The rally kicks off in Fez on October 12 with a short 19-km prologue before heading to Erfoud, where the bivouac will be based. The next four stages will loop around the region, combining fast rocky tracks and dunes — a full test of endurance and precision.
“We arrive here with a great rhythm after Portugal and two days of testing in Morocco,” adds Esteve. “We’ll use this rally to try a few things for Dakar 2026. The best way to do that is in real competition, with all the top teams on track. The goal is to push hard, keep learning, gain confidence — and, of course, finish the rally.”
Supported by Repsol, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Spain, MGS Seguros, and KH-7, Isidre Esteve faces another world-class challenge — the perfect stage to grow, refine his pace, and complete his road to Dakar.
Source: Repsol Toyota Rally Team
Adaptation: Rally-Raid Network
Photo: ImagensDesportivas.com
