Heading to Europe this year?It’s got amazing scenery, mountain twisties, gnarly off-road tracks… but it’s also got a record number of cross-country rallies for race pros, amateurs, newbies and rookies alike.Some of these rallies require race licenses and specific bikes, while others can be done by anyone on any bike including everything from a WR250 to an Africa Twin 1000.You can race them, chase them, or just watch them – it’s going to be ridiculous fun either way!
Hispania Rally, 5-9 March
Hispania Rallyin Spain is a FIM-licensed event that welcomes both pro riders and amateurs.You can watch or chase the rally, or, if you feel like trying it for yourself, you can enter their Lite class on any bike and your own insurance.Hispania Rally is all about endurance, hilly, rocky terrain, and as always, camaraderie regardless of your background.
Hellas Rally May, 19-26
Hellas Rallyin Greece is the biggest FIM-licensed rally raid in Europe incorporating different classes, categories, and competitor levels.If you want to race Hellas but roadbook navigation intimidates you, enter their Hellas Adventure Raid class for big bikes where you navigate by GPS.
Baja Aragon July 20-22
Another Spanish rally taking place in the beautiful, rugged landscape of Aragon.Three breathtaking stages, famous names and stunning Spanish scenery –Baja Aragonis not to be missed!
Serres Rally August 28 – September 3
A must-see (or race!) in Southern Europe, theSerres Rallyis one of the stepping stones for Dakar.“If you need sand training, do Merzouga, but if you want rocks, Serres is a great rally for that”, Edwin Straver, a Dakar malle moto class winner, has said about the Serres.
Even if Dakar isn’t in your near future, Serres can be great fun, and they have a Lite class for dual sports riders which does not require a license.Register, show up, and go!
Transitalia Marathon September 24-28
Transitalia Marathonisn’t technically a rally, it’s more of an organized ADV ride through rural Italy.Four days and almost a thousand kilometers of off-road riding with like-minded ADV fanatics: if this sounds like your cup of tea, then Transitalia is for you.
