Hellas Rally Raid 2026 – Day 1

Day 1 – Pefki, Evia

The 16th edition of the Hellas Rally Raid 2026 officially commenced in the scenic Pefki in Evia, Greece on Monday, marking the beginning of another exciting week of rally raid competition.

The opening stage featured a demanding 100-kilometer route, where navigation accuracy and river-crossing skills proved decisive throughout the day. Competitors faced a diverse range of terrain, testing both endurance and technical ability from the very first kilometers

Defending champion Jacopo Cerutti of Aprilia Racing claimed victory in the first stage with an outstanding performance, combining excellent navigation with a fast and controlled riding style. Thomas Marini secured second place overall, while French rider Julien Jagucompleted the podium in third position.

The Top 5 was rounded out by two promising Greek riders, Kimon Karampelas and Ioannis Sevastopoulos, highlighting the emergence of new talent within the rally raid scene.

In the SSV category, the duo of Galgani–Meffre recorded the fastest time of the day, delivering a strong and consistent performance. Second place was secured by Lacam–Delfino, while Herbain–Durame completed the podium in third position, only four minutes behind the leaders, setting the stage for a highly competitive battle in the days ahead.

Following the completion of Stage 1, the official opening ceremony took place in the central square of the Municipality of Istiea, where more than 220 riders from over 27 countries gathered to present themselves and share their ambitions for the Hellas Rally Raid 2026.

With six more days of intense racing ahead, the event promises even greater challenges and unforgettable moments.

Stay tuned for further updates and daily race reports from the Hellas Rally Raid 2026.

MOTO-Quad
1 (1) 15 CERUTTI JACOPO IT M5 1h49:40.24
2 (2) 90 MARINI THOMAS IT M5 1h50:06.11
3 (1) 94 JAGU JULIEN FR M2 1h51:40.87
4 (2) 45 BOZZO BRUNO IT M2 1h52:18.08
5 (3) 6 PEDRO SUBIRATS JOSEP ES M2 1h57:42.19 1h57:42.19

SSV
1 929 GALGANI- MEFFRE FR 1h50:29.36
2 945 LACAM- DELFINO D. FR 1h52:11.80
3 902 HERBAIN- DURAME FR 1h54:43.44