Javier Cañada has achieved his great objective: to be proclaimed champion of the Peugeot Challenge at a national level. After the third place achieved in 2025, the driver from the island of Lanzarote has won the title in this one-make series after a season in which he has been one of the main protagonists.
"It was my big dream", explained the Lanzarote native after arriving on his island after competing last weekend in the Rally Villa de Llanes. "This weekend we didn't have luck, so we had to wait and see if we were finally champions", he stressed. Ultimately, the combination of results has left him with 85.6 points, just 3.8 more than his immediate pursuer, which gives an idea of the equality of this one-make series based on the competitive Peugeot 208 Rally4.
"The season has been very sacrificial. Competing at a national level from the Canary Islands is not easy, so this year's result has double value", assured the Lanzarote native. "We haven't had much support and, therefore, a large budget, but I want to dedicate the title to everyone who has been by our side, as well as to the fans", pointed out Javier Cañada, already at home.
Along with Aday Ortiz, his co-driver over the years, his season began at the Rally La Nucía – Mediterráneo. There they reached the podium and scored important points in the TC Plus. At the Rally Ciudad de Utiel they did not score as they would have wished, but consistency began to gain prominence.
In any case, the turning point came a few weeks later. At the Rally Rías Baixas, Cañada – Ortiz achieved victory and other valuable points in the TC Plus, which positioned them as clear candidates for the win. That fact gained even more value when the next event was to be held at home, in Lanzarote, with the Rally Isla de Los Volcanes. There they finished second and won the TC Plus, so their chances for the title increased significantly, so much so that their retirement in Llanes did not prevent them from being crowned brilliant champions of the 2026 Peugeot Challenge.
Throughout recent seasons, Lanzarote has been a protagonist in the world of motorsport. Now, Javier Cañada has added his name to that group of drivers who, at some point in history, have been protagonists thanks to their sporting achievements beyond the island's borders.
Cañada, 29 years old, debuted in 2017 on the occasion of the Rally Isla de Lanzarote. In that same rally, but in 2021, he was already second overall, debuting with a Rally4 category vehicle. In 2023 he was the runner-up in the Rally & You Bp Ultimate Plus Car Cup after winning one of its rallies, a title he won the following year after achieving three victories.
Since that stage, Javier Cañada has focused on national championships. He competed in several rounds of the 2023 Clio Trophy Spain, where he finished third after debuting outside Spain on the occasion of the Rally de Lisboa (Portugal). In 2025 he embarked on a Desafío Peugeot where he finished the year in third place with a victory in the Rally Sierra Morena, in addition to competing again in Portuguese lands - as this year - on the occasion of the Rally Terras d’Aboboreira.
In this way, Javier Cañada and Aday Ortiz conclude an important season, the most important of their respective sporting careers. A year that should serve as a springboard to tackle larger projects from 2027 onwards.
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