The Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team, in partnership with Riders for Health (powered by Two Wheels for Life), is ready to return to rally raid action at the 2026 Addax Rally in Morocco from 25–30 October, with Alessandro Botturi and Gautier Paulin joined by defending champion Kevin Gallas as the team continues its preparations for the Africa Eco Race (AER).
Based in Merzouga, the Addax Rally will see competitors tackle five demanding stages and a prologue across the challenging terrain of southern Morocco. Featuring approximately 1,600 km of riding through the dunes of Erg Chebbi, sandy tracks and rocky sections, the event will provide an important opportunity for the team to further develop its Ténéré 700 Rally machines ahead of its main target, the 2027 AER.
The team arrives in Morocco following an impressive 2026 season, highlighted by a historic Yamaha 1-2 at the AER in February. After almost 6,000 km of racing, Gallas emerged victorious following an incredible battle with Paulin, with just 41 seconds separating the pair at the finish. After an earlier technical issue, Botturi, a two-time winner of the AER, played the perfect teammate by supporting Gallas and Paulin in their battle for victory, while also fighting back to secure a stage victory and finish seventh overall.
The trio also enjoyed a strong performance at April’s Carta Rallye in Morocco, with Gallas securing second overall, Paulin third and Botturi fifth, while the team claimed multiple stage victories and podium finishes. For Paulin, a former MXGP rider and five-time Motocross of Nations winner, the result further highlighted his remarkable transition to rally raid and how quickly he has adapted to the demands of desert racing and navigation.
Botturi heads into the Addax Rally in excellent form, having recently secured the 2026 Italian Motorally Championship title in the G-1000 class, as well as victory at the Swank Rally di Sardegna.
For Gallas, the event marks a return to the scene of his 2025 triumph. The German won last year’s Addax Rally after a thrilling battle with Botturi, whose race ended prematurely on the final stage due to a technical issue.
Ahead of the rally, the team has been conducting three days of testing in Erfoud, focusing on suspension, navigation, engine mapping and further refinements to the Ténéré 700 Rally. While the riders will look to challenge at the front, the priority remains gathering valuable data, fine-tuning the bikes, and building momentum towards the AER.
The 2026 Addax Rally gets underway with the prologue and scrutineering on Sunday, 25 October, followed by five stages from 26–30 October, with the team operating from a fixed bivouac in Merzouga.
Gautier Paulin
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team
“It’s great to be back in the desert again. We have been testing here in Morocco, working on the latest upgrades to our Ténéré 700 Rally bikes and continuing to make improvements. It’s really positive to be working alongside Alessandro, with all his experience, and Kevin, who is joining us for this event. There is a great atmosphere in the team, and the Addax Rally will give us some valuable time with the roadbook and navigation before the AER. There is still a lot of work to do, but the feeling is good.”
Alessandro Botturi
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team
“I’m happy to be back racing in Africa. We will use the Addax Rally as part of our preparation for the AER. I arrive after a very positive season, having won the Italian Motorally Championship and the Swank Rally in Sardinia. The team is very strong, and now we need to work together, perform well at the Addax Rally and make sure we are fully prepared for the AER.”
Kevin Gallas
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team
“I’m really excited to be back at the Addax Rally after winning here last year. We’re carrying out three days of testing, which is the first time I’ve had the chance to test properly with the team, and I’m keen to see how much more we can improve the bike. I’ve heard there will be some strong competition, but our target isn’t to win at all costs. This is really about preparing for the AER and improving as much as possible. If we can have a good week and make progress, I’m confident the results will follow.”
Marc Bourgeois
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team – Team Manager
“It’s nice to return to competition after the summer break. We’ve been working hard during three days of testing, focusing on the suspension, navigation, mapping and the small details of the bikes. The Addax Rally is our final race before the AER, so it’s an important opportunity to put everything we’ve learned into practice. It’s also about bringing the riders, mechanics and the entire team together, working as one group during five days of competition and continuing our preparations for our main goal.”
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.
