For his third Dakar Rally in 2026, Josep Pedró Subirats will go at it on his own as a Malle Moto rider.

“Ultimately, as a category, it’s very lonely,” Pedró remarked in an announcement video posted to social media on Monday. “We’ll spend 15 days racing, us with just our machines and our thoughts, all to achieve the goal of reaching the finish line. The challenge is huge, it motivates me a lot. At the same time, it commands a lot of respect. I’m aware that the Dakar is an incredibly tough race in itself.

“If you put these kinds of obstacles in its way, well… We’ll see what it holds for me.”

Pedró made his Dakar debut in 2024 as part of ALL1 Dakar, a stable consisting of himself and some close pals in honor of their late friend Álex Llibre. Llibre’s brother Carlos was also among those taking part in the race. Of the six, Pedró finished the highest with a 23rd in Rally2.

During that Dakar, Pedró became acquainted with Pedregà Team and was eventually hired as their motorcycle sporting director. Thus, he competed under their banner when he returned to Dakar in January. However, his second try was cut short by a crash in Stage 3 that broke two of his ribs.

He continues to do motocross and cross-country rallies with Pedregà on his Rieju, including finishing third overall at the Baja TT Dehesa Extremadura in May.

At Dakar, Malle Moto competitors are part of the Original by Motul subcategory of Rally2.

Featured image credit: Jennifer Lindini / ASO