Entry list and race schedule for round two of the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) heads to Iberia for the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, March 17-22.

Luciano Benavides claimed the closest victory in Dakar history, two seconds ahead of Ricky Brabec in dramatic opening round of the 2026 FIM rally-Raid World Championship in January.

Round two arrives this week in Portugal at the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal. Organised by the Automóvel Club de Portugal, the second round of the 2026 calendar will take place from March 17 to 22, covering 2175km including 1320km of special stages between Grandola and Loule.

The entry list (below) reveals 51 FIM bikes and quads are competing in the championship with factory teams from KTM, Honda and Hero including championship leader Benavides (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

Dominant in 2025 W2RC, Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) won four of the five rounds last season including the Portugal round. Crashing while leading the Dakar last January, Sanders broken his shoulder and though he remarkably still finished, it allowed his teammate and Honda’s Ricky Brabec to fight it to the final timing beam at the Dakar.

Rally GP class

Heading to the second round both Sanders and Brabec will be out for revenge with the American eight points behind points leader Benavides. Tosha Schareina is 14 points back, Skyler Howes 18, and the reigning world champion “Chucky” 21.

The four other RallyGP championship riders — Adrien Van Beveren (Honda), Nacho Cornejo (Hero MotoSports), Ross Branch (Hero MotoSports) and Edgar Canet (KTM) — are also well in the mix.

2026 BP Rally-Raid Portugal Bike entry list:

2026 BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal schedule:

March 14: Bivouac opens in Grândola

March 16: Administrative and technical checks

March 17:

- Administrative and technical checks

- General briefing

- Pre-race press conference

- FIM prologue (5 km timed) and starting order selection

- Start ceremony

March 18: Stage 1 – Grândola (Portugal) / Grândola (Portugal) – Total: 315 km / SS: 215 km

March 19: Stage 2 – Grândola (Portugal) / Badajoz (Spain) – Total: 545 km / SS: 380 km

March 20: Stage 3 – Badajoz (Spain) / Badajoz (Spain) – Total: 490 km / SS: 300 km

March 21: Stage 4 – Badajoz (Spain) / Loulé (Portugal) – Total: 520 km / SS: 310 km

March 22: Stage 5 – Loulé (Portugal) / Loulé (Portugal) – Total: 265 km / SS: 115 km

Portugal has established itself as a major rally-raid nation, driven by its demanding terrain and by riders who excel at the highest level. Those currently performing in the W2RC –Joao Ferreira (Toyota Gazoo Racing SA), Alexandre Pinto (Odyssey Academy by BBR), Martim Ventura (Monster Energy Honda HRC), among others– are the heirs to a long line of world-class champions, including Carlos Sousa, Paulo Gonçalves, and Hélder Rodrigues. 

Rally 2

In Rally2, with Edgar Canet moving up to RallyGP after winning the category last September, the appetite of the 32 registered riders is wide open. Starting with the Top 3 of the provisional standings, all expected at the event.

Leader Toni Mulec (BAS World KTM) will discover the race and meet Preston Campbell (Monster Energy Honda HRC), his runner-up at the Dakar. The American, who made his championship debut in Portugal six months ago and finished best rookie in 9th place at the Dakar, will once again have local rider Martim Ventura by his side, winner of two stages in Saudi Arabia and 3rd in the championship.

The Husqvarna of Bruno Santos (Xraids Experience), currently 7th in the standings, is always dangerous at home (2nd in 2025). The Portuguese rider competes with Xraids Experience, the largest team in the race with 8 riders, and could return to the Top 3.

Kove Factory Racing seems eager to join the KTM-Honda battle. Neels Theric, winner of three stages at the Dakar, arrives for the Iberian race. The Chinese brand also fields a female rider, the French Lilimay Mansuy, who will be discovered during pre-race scrutineering.

And speaking of French riders, Thomas Zoldos (Aub’Moto), winner of the 2025 Rally3 World Cup, will make his Rally2 debut.

Rally 3

For Rally3 and the quads, this event marks the opening round of the championship, as the Dakar is not part of their program.

On their Honda enduro bikes, brothers Gonçalo Amaral and Salvador Amaral (Wing Motor) hope to dominate the six entries as they did in 2024.

In the quad category, CFMoto Thunder Racing rider Antanas Kanopkinas, runner-up in both the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal and the 2025 World Cup, will be joined by compatriot Adomas Gancierius, a newcomer to meet during scrutineering.

The Lithuanians will face the Yamaha of Alexis Varagne (Senegal National Team), who finished on the podium in Lisbon last autumn during his first W2RC appearance.

Photo Credit: A.S O | DPPI