Argentina – May 24-29, 2026
San Juan – San Rafael (Mendoza) – San Juan
Argentina – May 24-29, 2026
San Juan – San Rafael (Mendoza) – San Juan
Prologue
It will be a short summary of what the riders and drivers will face during the Desafío Ruta 40 YPF. The start will be along the course of a dry riverbed, wide and fast at the beginning before narrowing further on, just before a major fork. The route then changes direction and surface until reaching a fast but narrow and highly technical track. It will not merely be a formality; it will be a mini-stage to start warming up the engines and wrists.
Argentina – May 24-29, 2026
San Juan – San Rafael (Mendoza) – San Juan
Stage 1 description
The start of the 2026 Desafío Ruta 40 YPF will take place across a wide variety of terrains, and landscapes – certainly some of the most stunning views. With the foothills of the Andes as an ever-present backdrop, the race will begin amidst imposing gorges before entering a vast, fast-flowing salt flat, where drivers must pay close attention to their direction.
The route will alternate between dry riverbeds of varying characteristics: some wide with good ground, others more confined between ravines, and others requiring very slow passage with many branches, making concentration a necessary skill.
The river connections consist of tracks with varied layouts and routes which, in some cases, are very clear and in others not so much. There are also tracks that appear parallel to them but which can lead riders and drivers away from the ideal route. A demanding race right from the start.
Argentina – May 24-29, 2026
San Juan – San Rafael (Mendoza) – San Juan
Stage 2 description
Ruts, tracks, salt flats, sandy terrain and plenty of vegetation sum up a stage that will require particular attention, especially from the navigators. Starting in the province of San Juan and finishing in neighbouring Mendoza, this stage holds secrets hidden in every kilometre.
Precision in staying on the tracks and the correct course will be key. Although the speed and the ability to make quick decisions at every road book indication will also be crucial. Medium and tall vegetation, along with dust in the air, will be the main features of the first few kilometres.
Crossing several short salt flats will be fast thanks to the surface conditions, but finding the correct route out may prove tricky. The same applies to the sandy terrain; whilst not difficult to navigate, it must be tackled with determination and speed.
Argentina – May 24-29, 2026
San Juan – San Rafael (Mendoza) – San Juan
Stage 3 description
The stage begins along a dry riverbed with a very stony surface, before a change of direction takes the riders and drivers into the dunes of Nihuil. The riders taking part in the Desafío Ruta 40 will have to navigate the dunes of Mendoza and find the right line to avoid losing time at the start of the third day of competition. This will be the main dune section of the competition, a challenging terrain that the drivers are looking forward to with high hopes.
After passing through the classic sands of Nihuil, the race heads into various dry riverbeds, each with distinct characteristics, ranging from fast sections and technical terrain to a few kilometres of narrow, boxed-in sections, all set against striking landscapes. For the final section, the race route takes the riders and drivers along mountainous roads, typical of rallying, which demand proper driving technique and which will challenge the driving skills of the riders and drivers alike.
Argentina – May 24-29, 2026
San Juan – San Rafael (Mendoza) – San Juan
Stage 4 description
The fourth day of competition is characterised by constant changes in pace as the route winds through the stunning landscapes of northern Mendoza. Right at the start of the stage, the route climbs to over 3,000 metres above the sea level, in a typical rally section featuring winding roads, hairpin bends and deep precipices.
The mountain tracks gradually give way to dry riverbeds, and the route veers off the beaten track on several occasions, so riders and drivers will need to take every change of direction into account to avoid getting lost and to validate all the waypoints.
Towards the end, the race enters a dry riverbed with plenty of off-road sections that will push both the riders and drivers and the machines’ limits to the very edge. The final kilometres will once again take place on the fast and tricky Fesh-fesh sections typical of San Juan.
Argentina – May 24-29, 2026
San Juan – San Rafael (Mendoza) – San Juan
Stage 5 description
The final stage of the 2026 Desafío Ruta 40 YPF will be no walk in the park, but a 320-kilometre stage that will decide the winners of this year’s event. The speed section begins near the imposing Cuesta del Viento, skirting a stretch of water along a winding, bumpy track that winds its way through a landscape of colourful mountains and sandy ground, typical of the region. They will then go through high-altitude trails, small streams and several spots where navigation will be crucial.
Towards the end, the race enters the classic ‘open desert’ of San Juan province, combining tracks with sparse vegetation and dry riverbeds that will force riders and drivers to stay focused and maintain constant attention on the roads and trails to avoid losing their way. Nothing will be decided until the very last kilometre.