CFMOTO Thunder Racing Team is back for 2026 with Antanas Kanopkinas once again leading the way. Adomas Gančierius will also return to the team for his first World Rally-Raid Championship starts since 2023.

Cross-Country Rally News released the team’s announcement on Thursday:

The CFMOTO Racing Team is proud to officially announce the start of the 2026 racing season, where the team will compete in the full championship calendar.

The team will be led by main driver Antanas Kanopkinas, while Adomas Gančerius will join the team during the opening stages of the season. With strong motivation and clear ambitions, the team enters the new year ready to fight for top results.

For the 2026 season, CFMOTO Racing introduces a significantly updated version of its proven machine — the CFMOTO CForce G3 1000. Building on previous experience and continuous development, the team has implemented multiple technical upgrades aimed at improving reliability, performance, and race pace.

The upcoming season also welcomes several new partners who will contribute additional speed, innovation, and technical support to the project. Together with long-term collaborators, these partnerships strengthen the team’s competitiveness and help push performance to the next level.

Driven by passion, determination, and constant development, the CFMOTO Racing Team is excited to move forward and begin another challenging championship season.
The team looks ahead to 2026 with confidence, strong momentum, and a shared passion for racing.

Gančierius did the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge with the team, finishing third in Quad behind winner Abdulaziz Ahli and Laisvydas Kancius. He eventually switched to navigating, calling Algirdas Talutis to a runner-up in Open SSV at that year’s Rallye du Maroc. That was his last W2RC start in general, though he he remained involved with CFMOTO.

In August, Gančierius was second in Quad at the Dinaric Rally while Kanopkinas was third.

The team did not mention Gaëtan Martinez’s 2026 plans. Martinez won the 2025 W2RC for Quad ahead of Kanopkinas by just five points.

Featured image credit: Helena Clancy / Edophoto / DPPI / ASO