Paulo Jorge Rodrigues is more than familiar with the forests back home in Portugal, but that’s the exact opposite of the terrain which the Dakar Rally traverse. As such, he’s keen on getting more desert experience under his belt.

He’ll get another opportunity at that with the upcoming Morocco Desert Challenge, where he will race a Can-Am Maverick R fielded by his usual team Rio Seco Racing. He hopes to use races like these to prep for a run at the Dakar in 2028.

Rodrigues typically competes in his native Portugal’s CPTT and FIA Baja Cup races whenever they come to the Iberian Peninsula. Last month, he finished fifth in SSV at the W2RC’s BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal. He was fourth in SSV at the 2025 Rally-Raid Portugal to win the Road to Dakar, but didn’t use it as he wanted to get more accustomed to racing in the desert first.

At the Morocco Desert Challenge last year, Rodrigues was 17th in T3 and 49th overall. He then followed it up with a fourth overall at the Addax Rally, also in Morocco.

“Last year was good for us. It was my first desert race together with Paulo,” navigator Fausto Mota told Cross-Country Rally News. “We expect to have a good rally with our Can-Am Maverick R, do solid stages, and keep learning every day.

“MDC navigation is different from Dakar. It was quite tricky for me at the beginning, especially in the first stages, as I needed to understand the roadbook style. But after, things improved and it became a good rally for us.

“This rally is also part of our long-term plan, as Paulo aims to compete in Dakar in 2028. We want to gain experience through desert races and training, and this rally is a good opportunity to see our level and progress in race conditions.”

Featured image credit: Paulo Maria / ASO