The ZXMOTO Joyride Factory Rally Team recently participated in the OLA Energy Rally in Morocco, marking their debut in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). The rally, which took place from September 28 to October 3, featured a challenging course that tested riders and bikes with varied terrain, including rough tracks, sandy sections, and high speeds. The team entered the competition with two ZXMOTO 450 Rally bikes, ridden by American Skyler Howes in the RallyGP class and Austrian Tobias Ebster in the Rally 2 class.
The OLA Energy Rally connected the cities of Agadir and Zakoura, pushing competitors to their limits with demanding stages that required a combination of physical and technical skills. Despite being a new team with limited experience, ZXMOTO successfully completed the rally, competing against more established factory teams. This achievement is significant, as it marks the first appearance of the ZXMOTO 450 Rally bike in the world championship.
The team's participation in the OLA Energy Rally is part of their preparation for the 2027 Dakar Rally, scheduled to take place from January 1 to 15. By competing in the Moroccan rally, ZXMOTO aimed to gather valuable data and insights to improve their bike and prepare for one of the toughest challenges in rally racing. The experience gained will be crucial in helping the team develop their bike and strategy for the Dakar Rally.
The ZXMOTO team faced stiff competition from experienced riders and factory teams, but they demonstrated their capabilities by completing the rally. This achievement is a testament to the team's hard work and dedication to competing at the highest level. The data collected during the rally will be used to refine the ZXMOTO 450 Rally bike and enhance the team's performance.
The OLA Energy Rally featured a diverse field of competitors, including top riders and teams from around the world. The rally's challenging course and varied terrain made it an ideal test for the ZXMOTO team, who were able to assess their bike's performance and identify areas for improvement. The team's experience will be invaluable in their future competitions.
The ZXMOTO Joyride Factory Rally Team's debut in the W2RC marks an important milestone for the team and the ZXMOTO brand. The team's performance in the OLA Energy Rally demonstrates their potential to compete with established teams and riders. With continued development and refinement of their bike, ZXMOTO is poised to make a strong impact in the world rally-raid championship.
As the team looks ahead to the 2027 Dakar Rally, they will build on the experience gained during the OLA Energy Rally. The data collected and insights gained will be used to improve the ZXMOTO 450 Rally bike and enhance the team's performance. With a strong foundation in place, ZXMOTO is well-positioned to tackle one of the toughest challenges in rally racing.
Key points
- ZXMOTO Joyride Factory Rally Team makes W2RC debut at OLA Energy Rally in Morocco
- Team completes rally with two ZXMOTO 450 Rally bikes, ridden by Skyler Howes and Tobias Ebster
- Experience gained will be used to prepare for 2027 Dakar Rally
