TPE Rally Team

Racing in Pink: Think Pink Europe at the Dakar Rally

At the 2026 Dakar Rally, one of the world’s toughest and most iconic motorsport events, breast cancer awareness raced alongside speed, endurance and determination. This year, two exceptional teams proudly carried the Think Pink Europe logo, spreading a powerful message of awareness across borders and landscapes.

Long-standing Ambassadors from Spain: Dakar Por La Vida

The team of Rafael Lesmes, racing under the banner of Dakar Por La Vida, has been a committed ambassador for Carrera Por La Vida | Walk For Life in Spain, particularly in the Canary Islands, for many years. Through their participation in demanding rallies like Dakar, they continuously raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

Their message is clear and impactful: breast cancer awareness concerns everyone — women and men alike. By bringing this message into the heart of international motorsport, the team once again demonstrated how sport can be a powerful platform for social impact.

A Historic Victory for Portugal

This year, the team of Maria Luís Gamera also raced with the Think Pink Europe logo, proudly representing Rosa Vida, our Portuguese partner organization. Their Dakar journey was marked not only by resilience and teamwork, but also by an extraordinary sporting achievement.

Maria Luís Gamera and her all-female team finished in a strong overall position and were crowned winners of the Dakar Rally Women’s Cup — a remarkable milestone that highlights the strength of women in motorsport and beyond.

Sport as a Vehicle for Awareness

Both teams carried the Think Pink Europe message in their own unique way, proving that awareness knows no borders and that every platform — including the extreme environment of the Dakar Rally — can help save lives through visibility and education.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Rafael Lesmes and Dakar Por La Vida, and to Maria Luís Gamera and her team, for their commitment, courage and dedication. By racing in pink, they helped drive an essential message across continents: awareness matters, early detection saves lives, and together we are stronger.

Thank you for racing for a cause bigger than sport!