With a line-up of 10 bikes on the beach of Plage Blanche, the first real stage of the MDC started. The clouds above Agadir caused a delay because the air traffic control helicopters were not allowed to take off, but at 10.45 am the time had come!
The motorcycles first started with 10 at a time. Then came the SSVs per 3, followed by the cars and trucks that left 2 at a time. It made for a great spectacle and a battle from the start. Everyone immediately went for the best place in the front so they would not get in the dust of the other riders.
The arrival, 356 kilometers further at Bivouac Assa, was welcome! The heat - it was at times 45°C on the track - and the varied course - typical for Morocco - put most of the participants to the test. The assistance also had its hands full to get the vehicles roadworthy again for the start of SS3. Some tinkered through the night.
The first bike to reach the bivouac was that of Spaniard Lorenzo Santolino (#108) who won the stage just ahead of his Sherco teammate Rui Gonçalves (#117), the overall leader.
On the SSV side, Michiel Becx and Wouter de Graaf (#214) are fastest ahead of Hugues Lacam and Max Delfino (#203). Among the cars, the stage went to Mathieu Serradori and Loïc Minaudier (#302) who won ahead of Simon Vitse and Frédéric Lefebvre (#301). Jérome Pélichet and Pascal Larroque (#303) complete this all-French podium.
Janus Van Kasteren (#503) again set the fastest time in the trucks with a nice lead over Igor Bouwens (#501) who suffered a puncture just before the finish.
Don't limit your challenges. Challenge your limits.
About
Home
The Rally
Competitors
Media