The Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team, in partnership with Riders for Health (powered by Two Wheels for Life), enjoyed a second consecutive 1-2 at the Africa Eco Race after Ténéré Spirit Experience riders Kevin Gallas and Mike Wiedemann locked out the top two spots on Stage 7. At the same time, Gautier Paulin and Alessandro Botturi finished one of the toughest stages of the rally in fifth and tenth, respectively.
Stage 7 of the 2026 Africa Eco Race (AER) saw competitors start directly from the bivouac in Chami, and cover 462 km of timed special, mostly consisting of soft sand, but also encompassing the first stretch of the infamous Mauritanian dunes, before reaching the next bivouac in Aidzidine.
Gallas, who also won Stage 5, is making his AER debut as part of the Ténéré Spirit Experience (TSE), and the German rider ensured it was a hat-trick of consecutive stage wins for the Ténéré by powering to victory. He and the team had developed a strategy for the much shorter Stage 6, in which he would try to finish down the order while conceding as little time as possible to the leader.
This meant he was able to start from 12th and had the riders in front to use as guides as he attacked right from the start. He managed to finish the stage in three hours, 19 minutes, and 46 seconds, to take over the lead of the general classification for the first time, in the process opening up an advantage of six minutes and 12 seconds over his nearest rival.
He was joined on the stage podium by fellow TSE rider and compatriot Wiedemann, who completed the stage just 18 seconds behind his teammate, to move up to fifth in the overall standings, as Ténérés once again dominated proceedings. In doing so, he also ensured it was a second consecutive 1-2 lockout for the twin-cylinder adventure bike, following on from Paulin and Botturi’s efforts on Stage 6.
Former MXGP rider Paulin, who is competing in his first AER on a motorcycle and still learning the art of rally raid, had another good stage. Caught out by a tricky waypoint, along with a lot of other riders, he fought back superbly to finish the stage in fifth, 24 minutes and 18 seconds behind Gallas, to jump up one place in the general classification to fourth.
His teammate Botturi, who is continuing his superb fightback from a technical issue on Stage 4 that cost him over an hour, continued to show his legendary fortitude as he not only tried to claw back time on the leaders, but also lent a hand to his less experienced teammates. He rode with Gautier up until the refuelling point, aiding him after the troublesome waypoint, before bringing his Ténéré 700 Rally to the bivouac in tenth, and he remains ninth in the general classification.
More strong results followed for TSE riders, with Nicolas Charlier finishing the stage in ninth and António Maio in 12th, meaning there are now five Ténérés in the top nine of the general classification.
Stage 8 of the rally is a loop stage, with the riders leaving the bivouac with an 11km liaison to the start. They then face a 415 km special stage, one of the toughest of the rally, with multiple dune sections before a 3 km liaison back to the bivouac in Aidzidine.
Stage 7 Results
General Classification After Stage 7
Kevin Gallas – P1 Overall – 23h25m11s
Ténéré Spirit Experience
“That was a lot of fun. It was my first real taste of the Mauritanian dunes, and I really enjoyed it. I am happy, as our strategy of finishing Stage 6 down the order while trying to give up as little time as possible yesterday, allowed me to start from 12th today, so I could attack and not lead out, which worked to perfection. On the sixth stage, we conceded around three minutes, and on today’s stage, I was able to take 13 minutes out of the leader from yesterday. To be at the top of the general classification in my debut AER is incredible, and I feel great on the bike, plus I am happy with my navigation. A lot of riders with more experience than I had a problem in finding a waypoint today, but I was able to complete the stage with no real issues. Up next is probably the hardest stage of the rally, with lots of dunes, but I am looking forward to it, and even though I will open the stage, I am confident in the team’s strategy, and I can’t wait to get back on the bike.”
Gautier Paulin – P4 Overall – 23h53m05s
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team
“Today’s stage was certainly a step up. This is my first time racing a motorbike in this rally, and when people talked about the dunes and how tough it can be in Mauritania, they were not joking. The wind also played a part today, as it reduced visibility. I had trouble finding a waypoint, and so Alessandro and I decided to ride together for a while, and we found a nice rhythm to recover time before I attacked at the end of the stage. There are still five more days to go, and to be fourth overall is great. I am enjoying the experience of racing in this team, alongside all of the riders, and I think Stage 8 will be another tough one, but we are ready for the challenge.”
Alessandro Botturi – P9 Overall – 25h03m49s
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team
“Stage 7 was tough for all the riders. Since losing over an hour on Stage 4, while I am obviously pushing as hard as I can to make up that time, as anything can happen in rally raid, I am also trying to help my teammates who are still in with a chance of victory as much as I can. There was a very tricky waypoint today, and several riders found themselves lost looking for it, so I rode with Gautier up until the refuelling point. I love racing in Mauritania, and I really enjoyed hitting the dunes for the first time. Stage 8 will be another tough one, with even stronger winds forecast than today, and even more dunes, but this is where I come into my own, and I am looking forward to it.”
Marc Bourgeois
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team – Team Manager
“What a performance for Kevin. We devised a strategy yesterday, where he conceded a small amount of time in return for getting to start down the order and be able to follow the riders ahead so he could attack, and he carried out the plan perfectly. Honestly, considering it is only his third rally raid and his first AER, he is showing remarkable skills and maturity. It was also a good day for Mike, who made it a Ténéré 1-2 for the second day in a row. Gautier produced a great ride, considering he is still learning the art of navigation. While he was caught out by one waypoint, like nearly all the riders, he recovered superbly and moved up one place in the general classification. Alessandro, what can you say? He not only is pushing as hard as he can to try to get back into the podium hunt, but he is also selflessly helping his teammates when he can, which shows you the kind of man he is. The whole team has worked so hard to get us into this strong position, and to have five Ténérés in the top nine shows how competitive we, and the bike, are. Bring on Stage 8.”
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