ZXMOTO completes first W2RC campaign at Rallye du Maroc

Sunday 04 - 22:00

ZXMOTO has completed its first official appearance in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), bringing both of its factory-entered motorcycles to the finish of the 2026 Rallye OLA Energy du Maroc.

Held from September 28 to October 3, the Moroccan event represented an important development milestone for the ZXMOTO Joyride Factory Rally Team. American rider Skyler Howes competed in the RallyGP category, while Austria’s Tobias Ebster entered Rally2, giving the manufacturer an opportunity to assess its 450 Rally across a demanding mix of terrain.

The route stretched from Morocco’s Atlantic coast around Agadir toward the desert landscapes of Zagora, exposing the motorcycles and riders to conditions representative of the challenges faced in international rally-raid competition.

A first step toward Dakar 2027

For ZXMOTO, the Rallye du Maroc was about more than completing its first W2RC event. The manufacturer used the race as part of its preparation for the 2027 Dakar Rally, with competition conditions providing an opportunity to gather technical and operational information ahead of the iconic event.

Howes brought previous experience of the Moroccan rally, having won the event in 2022. His participation offered the team an experienced reference point as it evaluated the motorcycle over changing surfaces and demanding stages.

The completion of the rally by both ZXMOTO 450 Rally machines gives the team a substantial base of race data. According to the manufacturer, the information collected during the event will contribute to further development work and preparation for Dakar 2027.

Two riders, two W2RC categories

The decision to field Howes and Ebster in different championship categories also gave ZXMOTO exposure to distinct competitive environments.

Howes represented the team in RallyGP, the premier category of the W2RC, while Ebster contested Rally2. Their respective programmes allowed the manufacturer to evaluate the 450 Rally under different racing requirements while gaining experience with the logistical and sporting demands of a world championship rally.

Finishing the Moroccan event with both motorcycles was therefore an important early benchmark for a programme entering the championship at factory level.

A purpose-built 450 Rally

The ZXMOTO 450 Rally is designed specifically for long-distance off-road competition. Its 449.9cc single-cylinder engine produces approximately 58 horsepower and 43 Nm of torque, while the motorcycle has a dry weight of around 142 kilograms.

Its 32-litre fuel tank is intended to provide the range required for extended rally stages. The chassis is equipped with long-travel suspension, offering 305 mm at the front and 300 mm at the rear, while the 310 mm ground clearance is designed to cope with rough and uneven terrain.

A built-in navigation tower further underlines the motorcycle’s competition-oriented design, integrating equipment required by riders during rally stages.

Expanding ZXMOTO's racing ambitions

The Moroccan rally programme adds another dimension to ZXMOTO’s growing involvement in international motorcycle competition. The manufacturer is also active in circuit racing, where its racing programme has recorded six World Supersport victories during the 2026 season.

The move into the W2RC places the brand in a markedly different competitive environment, where reliability, navigation, endurance and adaptability are as important as outright performance.

Completing the Rallye du Maroc with both factory motorcycles provides ZXMOTO with an initial foundation from which to refine its rally-raid programme. With Dakar 2027 now the longer-term objective, the Moroccan event marks the beginning of a development process rather than its conclusion.