Stage 4 Victory for Paulin Completes Hat-Trick of Wins for Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team
The Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team, in partnership with Riders for Health (powered by Two Wheels for Life), made it three successive stage wins at the 2026 Carta Rallye in Morocco, as Gautier Paulin claimed the overall Stage 4 victory. Kevin Gallas made it a double podium for the team in third, with Alessandro Botturi in fourth, as the trio once again completed a top-three lockout of the Over 450cc class.
Stage 4 saw the bivouac move from Laâyoune to Tan-Tan Plage and featured 216 km of special and 98 km of liaison, plus a 72 km transfer, for a total of 386 km. It was another long and demanding day in the desert, but the Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team once again delivered a strong performance from start to finish.
Paulin secured his second stage win of the rally with a time of four hours, 21 minutes and 11 seconds on his Ténéré 700 Rally. After a small mistake early in the stage, the Frenchman settled into a strong rhythm, fought his way back to the front, and delivered another superb result to move into second overall in the general classification, 14 minutes and 27 seconds from the lead.
Gallas backed up his Stage 3 victory by once again producing an impressive performance, finishing third on Stage 4 with a time of four hours, 27 minutes and 59 seconds. Opening the stage gave the German more valuable experience, but he handled the pressure well, finishing just six minutes and 48 seconds behind his teammate. He remains third overall after four days, 19 minutes and four seconds from the lead.
Botturi also enjoyed a positive day, finishing fourth on Stage 4 with a time of four hours, 29 minutes and three seconds as the experienced Italian continued to show strong rhythm in the desert. He now lies fifth overall, 40 minutes and 26 seconds from the lead.
Stage 5 sees the rally head from Tan-Tan Plage to Icht and features 346 km of special and 348 km of liaison, for a total of 694 km.
Carta Rallye Stage 4 Results
Carta Rallye General Classification After Stage 4
Gautier Paulin – P2 – 14h32m14s
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team
“It was a really positive day. I made a small mistake at the beginning, but after that, I found a good rhythm and was able to push on. The bike worked really well again, and it feels great to take a second stage win of the rally. It was one of the most enjoyable stages I have raced, and I am already looking forward to Stage 5, although I will be opening, which is an extra challenge, but it is all good experience, and I am having fun.”
Kevin Gallas – P3 – 14h36m51s
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team
“Opening the stage was not easy, but it was a very good experience and another important step for me in the desert as I continue to learn with every kilometre. The roadbook tablet worked well, which meant I was able to push. I was happy with my pace; the bike worked great, and finishing on the podium again is a strong result. We keep learning and building day by day.”
Alessandro Botturi – P5 – 14h58m13s
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team
“I felt good on the bike and had a solid rhythm all day. It was another positive stage for me, and we are continuing to gain more and more experience on the Ténéré 700 Rally. The ability to compete with and beat our rivals on 450cc single-cylinder machines demonstrates the bike’s potential. To bring home another strong result was important.”
Marc Bourgeois
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team – Team Manager
“Stage 4 was a very good day again with the victory for Gautier. He made a small mistake at the beginning, but after that, he found a good rhythm, caught the leaders, and stayed strong to the finish. Kevin also did a great stage because opening the stage is never easy and brings extra pressure, so it was a very good exercise for him and another strong result. Alessandro also had a good day with a good rhythm and a good result. The navigation tablet worked well, the Ténéré 700 Rally is really showing its potential, and we are still in the fight. Today was another positive stage for the team.”
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