Rieju To Compete in 2027 Dakar Rally
S
panish motorcycle manufac-
turer Rieju will return to the
Dakar Rally in 2027 with its Rally
307, a production-based motor-
cycle prepared for rally com-
petition. August Castella, who
led the bike's development, will
compete on the 293cc machine.
Unlike the purpose-built 450cc
rally bikes commonly used in the
event, the Rally 307 is based on
a production adventure model
available to the public. Rieju says
the race bike will be randomly
selected from its production line
and modified with accessories
customers can buy.
Castella, who previously test-
ed a prototype in Africa, recently
competed in the Rallye du Maroc
as part of the team's Dakar
preparations. The Rally 307 fea-
tures a 293cc engine producing
a claimed 33.5 horsepower.
Rieju, based in Figueres, Spain,
last competed in the Dakar in
2025. The company plans to use
the 2027 event to evaluate the
Rally 307's performance and reli-
ability, with the goal of applying
what it learns to future produc-
tion models.
"We haven't created a motor-
cycle specifically for the Dakar,"
Castella said. "This bike is de-
signed to accompany you on any
adventure you want to experi-
ence. And if that means taking
on the Dakar, the bike won't be
what holds you back. I am ap-
proaching the Dakar confident
that I have done my homework."
"Seeing a production Rieju
take on the Dakar has a very spe-
cial meaning," said Jordi Riera,
CEO of Rieju and grandson of the
founder. "Taking the Rally 307 to
the Dakar is a way of showing
the world our work and sharing
that challenge with everyone.
We are going to the Dakar with
the aim of completing as many
stages as possible, learning
and applying that experience to
this and future models. We will
randomly select a Rally 307 from
the production line and prepare it
for the Dakar using accessories
that customers will be able to
buy."
CN
VOLUME 63 ISSUE 44 NOVEMBER 3, 2026 P31
Rieju will enter a
production but fully
prepped Rally 307 in the
upcoming Dakar Rally.
