Kevin Gallas has added a second Addax Rally victory to his record, this time as the defending champion. The 30-year-old German beat Alessandro Botturi in a result that gave Yamaha a one-two finish. The result also marks the latest step in a racing path that began well away from the established Rally-Raid teams.

Gallas came through Motocross and, above all, Hard Enduro. For a period, Dakar seemed like a dream almost detached from reality. Discovering Rally-Raid changed his direction: he learned navigation, entered competition and bought a Yamaha Ténéré 700 to develop his abilities. In 2025, he claimed his first Rally-Raid victory at Rally Carta.

Success at Rally Carta and then at the Addax Rally led Yamaha to bring him into its team through Bourgeois and Botturi. Moving to the official motorcycle raised the level of the challenge, but not the foundation of his approach. Gallas treats the machine and the discipline with respect, recognising Rally-Raid as both demanding and dangerous. He also places importance on controlling his thoughts and adrenaline, because excessive speed can become the discipline’s greatest hazard.

Africa Eco Race comes next

After the second Addax Rally win, Gallas’s next target is the Africa Eco Race in January. His ambition is deliberately restrained: to put in a good performance. His progression now runs from a personally purchased Ténéré 700 to Yamaha’s official racing motorcycle, with the next stage set in a different Rally-Raid challenge.