After making his Dakar Rally debut in 2024 and recovering from a near-deadly bout with peritonitis, Fabio Lottero compete in the Africa Eco Race in 2026.

Lottero raced the 2024 Dakar Rally, finally able to take part after having to postpone his debut by a year due to logistical issues, but did not finish after suffering a ligament and meniscus injuries in his knee from hitting a rock. To add insult to injury, his gasoline was stolen at one point. Before his exit after five stages, Lottero was 85th in Rally2 with a best performance of 44th in Stage 4.

Over the summer, he contracted appendicitis that developed into peritonitis. This left him hospitalized at Hospital Can Misses for 70 days, a process that he recalled to Periódico de Ibiza y Formentera included 15 operations while doctors used a vacuum-assisted closure device to clean out the infection every three to four days.

Once discharged, he began physical training. In late March and early April, Lottero returned to action at the Adventure Galicia Rally, where he finished 17th overall and second in class.

Each race he does will be preparation for the AER as he wants to experience the famous route from Europe to Senegal. Club Aventura Touareg will field his entry.

The 2026 Africa Eco Race will take place from January 24 to February 7.

Featured image credit: Antonin Vincent / DPPI