The Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team, in partnership with Riders for Health (powered by Two Wheels for Life), heads into the final stage of the 2026 Addax Rally in Morocco occupying the top two positions in the general classification. Defending champion Kevin Gallas maintained his overall lead despite a challenging fourth stage, while Alessandro Botturi climbed to second after finishing sixth among the motorcycles. Gautier Paulin made an impressive return to action, securing second place on Thursday’s stage following his planned absence on Wednesday.
The penultimate stage around Merzouga provided another demanding test for the riders and their Ténéré 700 Rally machines, with difficult terrain and tricky navigation presenting challenges throughout the day as the team continued its preparations for the 2027 Africa Eco Race (AER).
Returning to action after sitting out Stage 3 to allow the team to carry out repairs and further testing, Paulin enjoyed an excellent performance despite encountering a minor issue with his rear brake early in the stage. The problem was resolved at the first checkpoint, although the Frenchman was delayed by seven minutes before continuing.
Undeterred, Paulin maintained a strong, consistent pace throughout the remainder of the special, avoiding navigation mistakes to finish second among the motorcycles in four hours, 16 minutes and 10 seconds. It was an impressive comeback for the former MXGP star, who demonstrated his determination to make the most of his return to the rally.
For Botturi, Thursday brought another solid performance. The experienced Italian concentrated on maintaining a consistent rhythm and navigating accurately, avoiding unnecessary risks as he completed the stage in sixth place with a time of four hours, 22 minutes and 58 seconds. His efforts were rewarded with a move into second place in the overall standings, putting the team in a strong position heading into the final day.
Gallas, meanwhile, faced a tricky stage, with several navigation mistakes costing him time. Nevertheless, the experience provided another valuable opportunity to learn and develop ahead of the AER, with the German particularly pleased with the performance of his bike after the team resolved some minor issues overnight. He completed the stage seventh among the motorcycles in four hours, 37 minutes and 45 seconds, retaining a comfortable advantage in the general classification.
With just Friday’s final stage remaining, Gallas leads the rally with a combined time of 20 hours, eight minutes and 54 seconds, holding a 20-minute and eight-second advantage over Botturi in second. The Italian, meanwhile, has a seven-minute and 34-second cushion over third place, leaving the Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team in a strong position to secure an overall one-two finish and a second consecutive Addax Rally victory for Gallas.
Friday’s Stage 5 will bring the rally to a close in Merzouga, with the riders facing one final test of navigation and endurance across the Moroccan desert. With the team aiming to complete its impressive week on a high, the priority will be to negotiate the remaining kilometres safely and bring home the best possible result ahead of the 2027 AER.
Stage 4 Results
Overall Classification
Kevin Gallas – P1 Overall (20:08:54)
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team
“Today was a tricky stage, and some navigation mistakes cost me time. On the positive side, the team fixed the small issues we had with the bike yesterday, and it worked perfectly throughout the stage. I really enjoyed riding it, and we’ve made some excellent progress ahead of the AER. I’m happy that Alessandro is now second overall and that I still have a comfortable lead. Tomorrow the plan is to stay calm, finish the rally and hopefully secure the victory and a one-two for the team.”
Alessandro Botturi – P2 Overall (20:29:02)
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team
“It was another good, steady stage today. I rode at my own pace, concentrating on navigating well and avoiding too many mistakes. I’m now second in the general classification, which is positive, so tomorrow we’ll aim for another good result and hopefully finish the rally strongly.”
Gautier Paulin – Overall NC
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team
“It was a great day. We had a minor issue with the rear brake early in the stage, which was resolved at the first checkpoint, although I was delayed by seven minutes. After that, everything went really well. I rode at a good, safe pace, made no navigation mistakes and really enjoyed the stage. I’m happy to be back racing and to finish second among the motorcycles.”
Marc Bourgeois
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team – Team Manager
“It was a good day for the team, especially with Kevin and Alessandro now first and second overall. The terrain was very demanding, and the navigation was tricky, but these are exactly the challenges that help us gain experience and improve ahead of the AER. Kevin has a comfortable lead, but we must remain focused until the very end. Alessandro is now in a good position to fight for second overall, and having Gautier back with us is also important. Tomorrow will be about teamwork and finding the best strategy to support all three riders and achieve the best possible result for Yamaha.”
Michael Le Pard (“Mr. Totalmotorcycle”) is the Founder of Total Motorcycle, the world’s largest motorcycle information site, trusted by over 430 million riders since 1999. With over 34 years of experience in motorcycles, gear and rider culture, he has built a global community dedicated to empowering and inspiring motorcyclists.
Total Motorcycle remains his passion project. Combining expert research, hands‑on knowledge and a commitment to helping riders make informed decisions about bikes, gear and safety worldwide.
