The Ténéré Yamaha Rally Group, in partnership with Riders for Well being (powered by Two Wheels for Life), rewrote the document books because the 2026 Africa Eco Race formally got here to a detailed by the shores of Lac Rose, in Dakar, Senegal. Ténéré Spirit Expertise (TSE) rider Kevin Gallas was topped the general champion, whereas Gautier Paulin secured second, and the information didn’t cease there, with 5 Ténérés within the high seven total, and a podium lockout of the Over 650cc class.
Stage 12 of the Africa Eco Race (AER) is a conventional race alongside the seashore to the shores of Lac Rose, with a motocross-style begin. Because the timings will not be counted in direction of the overall classification, it provides the riders an opportunity to take pleasure in a brief 22 km particular stage, after a 203 km liaison from the bivouac in Mpal to Dakar, and stays a becoming option to formally deliver the rally to an finish.
Ending by the shore of the legendary Lac Rose, the stage evokes recollections of the Paris-Dakar rallies of the previous, particularly with Mr Dakar himself, 14-time winner Stéphane Peterhansel, becoming a member of the group driving a Ténéré 700 Rally.
Arriving on the podium, TSE rider Gallas was formally topped the 2026 AER champion within the motorcycle class, marking the primary time a Ténéré had featured on the highest step. He did so in dramatic model too, profitable after an unbelievable showdown towards Paulin on Stage 11, which noticed the German emerge victorious by simply 41 seconds. He additionally secured two stage wins and three additional podiums, displaying outstanding consistency in solely the previous Junior SuperEnduro World Champion’s third rally raid.
Paulin ensured much more glory for Yamaha by ending in second and cementing a 1-2 for the Ténéré 700 Rally. Whereas he agonisingly missed out on victory, the previous MXGP rider confirmed unbelievable tempo and potential through the race, as he too is new to the game of rally raid and was competing in his first AER on a bike. Securing three stage victories and one other podium, he and Gallas beat the closest competitor on a 450cc single-cylinder machine by quarter-hour and 27 seconds, showcasing simply how aggressive the Ténéré is.
His teammate, Alessandro Botturi, a two-time winner of the AER, missed out on the win within the 2025 version of the race by simply 26 seconds in heartbreaking vogue after his wheels bought caught in some netting on the ultimate stage, and was decided to struggle for the victory as soon as extra. Sadly, a technical situation on Stage 4 led to him shedding over an hour, successfully ending any likelihood he had of including a 3rd AER crown to his identify. After Stage 4, as a substitute of pursuing his personal glory, the 50-year-old centered on serving to his teammates obtain the very best outcomes, whereas nonetheless securing a stage win and two extra podiums through the occasion, to complete in seventh total.
That wasn’t all, although, as TSE riders Mike Wiedemann and António Maio, from Germany and Portugal, respectively, achieved much more success for the Ténéré. Wiedemann scored three stage podiums to complete the rally in fourth total, whereas Maio achieved one other two podiums for Yamaha to finish the rally in sixth total.
That meant Ténérés secured six stage wins in whole, and an additional 11 podiums. Different highlights embody securing a lockout of the highest 5 on Stage 10, one of many hardest of the rally, and securing seven spots, because of Nicolas Charlier (eighth Over 650cc) and Bertrand Gavard (ninth in Over 650cc), within the high 9 of the Over 650cc class.
The 2026 Africa Eco Race will go down within the historical past books as one dominated by the Ténéré, because the twin-cylinder journey bike and the Ténéré Yamaha Rally Group conquered one of the vital brutal rally raids on the planet in commanding vogue. The group will likely be again in motion on the Carta Rallye in Morocco from 18-24 April.
The Yamaha Racing household had been saddened to study of the passing of fellow competitor, Robert van Pelt Sr., through the race. Our heartfelt condolences exit to his household, mates and teammates.
Stage 12 Outcomes
Closing AER Basic Classification
Kevin Gallas – P1 General – 39h24m05s
Ténéré Spirit Expertise
“We lastly made it to Lac Rose! Now all of it feels actual, and after I bought to the rostrum, the feelings took over. This has been a protracted, robust rally, however to come back away with the win and to make historical past with the Ténéré is a dream come true. It was a tremendous battle with Gautier, and it got here proper all the way down to the wire, after 6,000 km of racing, which is insane when you consider it. I wish to personally thank each member of the group and everybody at Yamaha who has supported me and given me this wonderful alternative. Now it’s time to relaxation and recuperate, after which we are going to begin planning for the Carta Rallye.”
Gautier Paulin – P2 General – 39h24m46s
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Group
“Wow, what an superior option to end an unbelievable race. Using alongside the seashore with my teammates was epic, and arriving on the legendary Lac Rose has all the time been a dream of mine since I used to be a younger boy, watching the unique Paris-Dakar rallies with my father. This has been an unbelievable couple of weeks. The bike has been excellent, the group are unbelievable, and I’ve made lifelong mates alongside the best way. To even have secured second, effectively, I’m thrilled contemplating it was my first AER on a bike. Due to the group and everybody at Yamaha, this has been a tremendous expertise, and I can’t wait to do it once more.”
Alessandro Botturi – P7 General – 41h10m57s
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Group
“What a rally for Yamaha. It’s all the time a particular feeling reaching Lac Rose, however doing so with a Ténéré making historical past by profitable is unbelievable. Bravo to Kevin and Gautier; they’re each nice riders, and whereas they’re new to rally raid, they’ve unbelievable potential. I used to be clearly unable to struggle for the victory after my situation on Stage 4, however serving to my teammates obtain the wonderful end result was a reward in itself. Due to the complete group for his or her efforts, and I’m already wanting ahead to the Carta Rallye.”
Marc Bourgeois
Ténéré Yamaha Rally Group – Group Supervisor
“Wow, simply wow. What a day for Yamaha, the Ténéré 700 Rally and the group. To win the rally for the primary time in itself could be wonderful, however to have secured a 1-2 and to have 5 Ténéres within the high seven total exhibits how aggressive and dependable the bike is, particularly when in comparison with our rivals on specialist 450cc single-cylinder bikes. The entire group needs to be very happy with their efforts. It is a lengthy, arduous rally, they usually saved a optimistic perspective from the beginning, and each certainly one of them deserves the plaudits as effectively. Due to Yamaha for the help, and now that we’ve got the primary AER win below our belt, we’re hungry for extra.”
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