Sébastien Loeb and Édouard Boulanger have delivered a commanding performance at Rally-Raid Portugal, steering The Dacia Sandriders to a decisive victory and taking the lead in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship standings. Competing in an eco-smart, sustainably fuelled Sandrider, the French duo seized control on Stage 2 as the rally crossed from Portugal into Spain, maintaining their advantage throughout the grueling 2,201-kilometre course.
Navigating treacherous mud and rain, Loeb and Boulanger consistently finished in the top three on four of the five stages, showcasing both their skill and the durability of the Sandrider, engineered to handle the most extreme off-road conditions. Their final winning margin of 2 minutes and 46 seconds underscores a flawless blend of strategy, speed, and resilience.
Lucas Moraes and Dennis Zenz also made their mark for The Dacia Sandriders, finishing fourth overall while claiming the team’s 20th and 21st FIA World Rally-Raid Championship stage wins on Stages 3 and 5. Despite a challenging event, Moraes, the reigning world champion, demonstrated remarkable determination, climbing from fifth to fourth on the final day and ending just 59 seconds shy of the podium.
Nasser Al-Attiyah and Fabian Lurquin, Dakar Rally winners earlier in the season, faced technical difficulties caused by the wet conditions on Stage 3, forcing a temporary retirement. After repairs, they returned to post the second-fastest time on the decisive final stage, proving the team’s relentless competitive spirit.
With Loeb and Boulanger’s triumph in Portugal, The Dacia Sandriders now stands as a five-time winner in the World Rally-Raid Championship and unbeaten in three starts, following Al-Attiyah and Lurquin’s Dakar Rally victory and the Sandriders’ 2025 Rallye du Maroc success. Loeb notches his third win in the championship, while Boulanger now boasts six victories since the series began four years ago.
Stage 5, based around Loulé in Portugal’s Algarve region, pushed drivers to the limit with blind crests, steep ravines, and a tight 2-kilometre technical charge around the Estádio do Algarve. The demanding conditions tested both the Sandriders’ engineering and the teams’ focus, culminating in a thrilling finale.
Team Principal Tiphanie Isnard praised the squad, highlighting the combined efforts that secured the victory. Loeb described the rally as highly technical but immensely rewarding, appreciating the challenging terrain and the strong performance of the Dacia Sandrider. Moraes and Boulanger echoed the sentiment, emphasizing consistency, teamwork, and the motivation this result provides as the championship moves forward.
The FIA World Rally-Raid Championship now turns its attention to Argentina for round three, the Desafio Ruta 40, scheduled from 25 – 29 May 2026. After a dominant display in Portugal, The Dacia Sandriders enters the next challenge with momentum, confidence, and a championship lead firmly in their sights.
