The Dacia Sandriders team is back in action, set to tackle Rally-Raid Portugal as the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) resumes after its summer hiatus. Following an impressive start to the 2025 season, the team is primed for a decisive cross-border showdown spanning Portugal and Spain, where speed, strategy, and stamina will define the outcome.
A Trio Ready to Push
Returning to the Iberian Peninsula as a trio, the Dacia Sandriders reunites Spain’s Cristina Gutiérrez with championship frontrunner Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar and rally legend Sébastien Loeb of France. Gutiérrez’s comeback completes the trio, strengthening the team’s competitive edge across a challenging and fast-paced terrain.
After securing victory in Abu Dhabi and a podium finish in South Africa, the Dacia Sandriders currently sits second in the W2RC Manufacturers’ standings, while Al-Attiyah and navigator Édouard Boulanger lead the Drivers’ and Navigators’ championships. With only one round remaining in the season, every kilometre counts as the team looks to solidify its advantage.
Strategic Pairings for Peak Performance
Team Principal Tiphanie Isnard highlighted the importance of synergy between drivers and navigators. “In rally-raid, our strength lies in creating the best possible conditions for our crews to perform at their highest level. The bond between driver and navigator is crucial, and evolving pairings allows new synergies to emerge. We believe these new collaborations will bring greater stability, renewed confidence, and the determination needed to push even further together,” she said.
For the remainder of the 2025 season and into January’s Dakar Rally, Boulanger will partner with Loeb, while Loeb’s navigator, Fabian Lurquin from Belgium, joins forces with Al-Attiyah. Cristina Gutiérrez continues her partnership with Pablo Moreno, aiming to build on past successes and strengthen the team’s overall cohesion.
Rally-Raid Portugal: The Route
The penultimate round of the W2RC season marks a return to largely uncharted territory, with gravel-dominated stages reminiscent of traditional world championship rallies. The event spans a total distance of 2,368.97 kilometres, including 1,433.05 kilometres against the clock. Based in Grândola, 100 kilometres south of Lisbon, the rally opens with a Prologue on 23 September, before the first competitive stage on 24 September leads crews southwest toward Beja over fast, winding dirt tracks, culminating in a sandy finish prior to the overnight halt.
The following day’s Stage 2 crosses into Spain, ending in Badajoz after a 649.98-kilometre journey—the longest of the rally. Stage 3 remains in Spain on terrain similar to the opening stage, while Stage 4 returns to Portugal, with the finale set near Lisbon on 28 September. Organisers have updated the route from the 2024 edition to enhance challenge and variety, promising a test of endurance and precision for all participants.
Drivers Speak: Determined and Focused
Al-Attiyah reflected on the season’s progression: “After a really good collaboration on Baja Aragón, I’m happy to continue the adventure with Fabian as my new navigator. Rally-Raid Portugal is a great event, and we are really looking forward to it. The target is always clear: to keep the lead in the championship by scoring good points and to have a great event.”
Gutiérrez echoed the sentiment, noting the excitement of competing on home soil: “I’m happy to be competing on Rally-Raid Portugal, as racing at home is always special. Together with Pablo, we are excited to reunite with the whole Dacia Sandriders team. Our goal is to get back into the rhythm, feel good in the car, and do our very best. We want to make the most of these last two races of the championship to arrive fully prepared for the Dakar Rally, the biggest challenge of all.”
Loeb, returning after a summer break, added: “I’m really looking forward to starting this new chapter with Édouard. We’ve already done some testing together in Morocco, and everything went very well. I can’t wait to get back to the racing feeling and meet the passionate Portuguese and Spanish fans, who create an incredible atmosphere on every stage.”
Looking Ahead
With Rally-Raid Portugal marking a pivotal stage in the 2025 W2RC, the Dacia Sandriders team is focused on consolidating its championship positions while preparing for the upcoming Dakar Rally. Eight consecutive weeks of intense travel—including testing, Rally-Raid Portugal, and Rallye du Maroc—underscore the team’s commitment to excellence, precision, and endurance.
The Dacia Sandriders Portugal Line-Up
- #200: Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Fabian Lurquin (BEL)
- #212: Cristina Gutiérrez (ESP) / Pablo Moreno (ESP)
- #219: Sébastien Loeb (FRA) / Édouard Boulanger (FRA)
As the engines roar to life in Grândola, all eyes will be on the Dacia Sandriders trio as they navigate the fast, winding roads of Portugal and Spain, chasing every opportunity to push the limits and secure victory.
Rally-Raid Portugal at a Glance:
- Total distance: 2,368.97 km
- Competitive distance: 1,433.05 km
- Dates: 21 – 28 September 2025
With determination, teamwork, and precision driving, the Dacia Sandriders are poised to make their mark on Iberia and continue their quest for championship glory.
