Dakar 2027: Gerard Farrès returns to bikes with MACBOR
The newsroomUpdated on October 16, 20264 minGerard Farrès is back in the bike category at the 2027 Dakar, 1 to 15 January, with MACBOR. August Castellà (Rieju Rally 307) has also been accepted.
Key point
Gerard Farrès, 47, returns to bikes for the 2027 Dakar with MACBOR, and August Castellà is accepted with the Rieju Rally 307.
Two announcements stand out on the entry list for the 2027 Dakar, scheduled for 1 to 15 January 2027. Spain's Gerard Farrès returns to the bike category for the first time since 2018, with Spanish brand MACBOR, and his compatriot August Castellà has been accepted by the organiser with the Rieju Rally 307.
Farrès back on two wheels
Gerard Farrès, 47, rode 11 Dakars on a bike between 2006 and 2018. His best result is third place in 2017, followed by fifth overall in 2018. He then moved to cars and SSVs, finishing second in SSV in 2022, according to Motosan. At the 2026 Dakar he retired after four stages for medical reasons.
According to Motosan he has 19 starts, so the 2027 Dakar will be his 20th. MACBOR, part of Grupo Motos Bordoy, already backed him in SSV and is entering the bike category as a team for the first time. 131 Offroad reports that he does not plan to stop after 2027.
Preparing in Morocco
Before the Dakar, the team plans two events in Morocco, both focused on roadbook navigation:
- the 1000 Dunas Rally, between Fès and Merzouga, over six stages;
- the Addax Rally, from 25 to 30 October 2026 in Merzouga, about 1,600 km around the Erg Chebbi.
Castellà and the Rieju Rally 307
August Castellà is chief engineer of the Rieju Rally 307 project, the Spanish brand's first full factory rally-raid programme, which he develops and rides. His bike has a 293 cc engine, smaller than the 450 cc of his Rally2 rivals. 131 Offroad recalls his recent results: fifth in M1 at the Hellas Rally Raid in 2025, then 37th in his class at the Desafío Ruta 40 and 69th at the Rallye du Maroc in 2026.
What is still unknown
The sources do not give the exact model of Farrès' bike, nor the venue and format of the 2027 edition for Castellà. The final entry list has yet to be published.
MACBOR, a brand on the rise
MACBOR will be at EICMA 2026 for the fourth year in a row and sells its bikes in fifteen European markets, of which Spain, France and Portugal are the most established. The brand recently arrived in the Benelux, Poland, Switzerland and the Baltic countries, so the Dakar gives it an international showcase.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 Dakar?
From 1 to 15 January 2027, according to Motosan.
Which team will Gerard Farrès ride for at the 2027 Dakar on a bike?
Spanish brand MACBOR, which already backed him in SSV and is entering the bike category as a team for the first time.
Who is August Castellà?
The chief engineer of the Rieju Rally 307 project, a 293 cc bike he develops and rides, accepted for the 2027 Dakar.
Sources
- Motosan — MACBOR prepares first Dakar with Gerard Farrés
- 131 Offroad — Gerard Farrès returns to Dakar on a bike
- 131 Offroad — August Castellà accepted for the 2027 Dakar
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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