News Africa Race 2020

AER2020 - ITS A WRAP

WHEELS TURNED TOWARDS 2021- The 12th edition of the AFRICA ECO RACE was a unrivalled success, an intense edition, full of emotion which put each and every hero of this race, considered a dream of a lifetime, to the test. We thank all our competitors, their assistances as well as our providers and the federations for their participation and for sharing the values and passion of the AFRICA ECO RACE family.

A MAGNIFICENT FINISH FOR THE AFRICA ECO RACE® AT LAC ROSE

As is the tradition at the AFRICA ECO RACE®, the 12th and final stage consisted of a 230km morning liaison between Saint-Louis and the fishing village of Niokob, followed by a 22km special stage between the beach and Lac Rose, where the podium was set-up. There was an incredible atmosphere on the shores of Lac Rose, about 10 meters from the monument erected in honor of Thierry SABINE. Indeed, never since the first edition of the AFRICA ECO RACE® in 2009 had there been so many people and such an atmosphere at Lac Rose. It was a unique moment worthy of the world’s great sporting events.

A FINAL STEP THAT IS FAMOUS ON THE AFRICA ECO RACE®

The last 187km special stage between Idini and Teverit crossed sandy tracks and included a few dunes and dunettes. It was, once again, well received by the survivors at the AFRICA ECO RACE® 2020. The stage offered a real driving treat but had no effect on the general classifications this year. There was, therefore, good humour and spirit on the finish line, situated at the edge of the Erg at the village of Teverit, around 30km from Nouakchott in Mauritania.

THE 10TH STAGE SHORTER THAN EXPECTED ON THE AFRICA ECO RACE

Today, Friday 17th of January, the 10th stage of the Africa Eco race between Tidjikdja and Idini, long of 499km, was supposed to be the deal maker on this 12th edition, should it be for the bikes or the four wheels category. Unfortunately, the director of the event had to neutralise the special stage at km 249, at a refueling point. Indeed, three bikers had an accident on the first part of the course which needed the attention of two of the helicopters out of three. It was therefore impossible to ensure the security of the competitors on the 500km route and such decision was obligatory. The participants joined the finish line 20km from the bivouac on the liaison route, relatively rolling and easy on the last 250 km.

THE SUSPENSE CONTINUES ON THE AFRICA ECO RACE

Once again, this stage in the form of a loop around Tidjikja , will have allowed competitors to discover fully this region of Mauritania, a real jewel of the country. In terms of sport, the 415 km route was also a big challenge in piloting and navigation. However, the race leaders were discreet and the suspense remains intact in all categories. Above all, this day of rest for the assistants and the organization, will have enabled Jérôme FROISSART, the President of AMADE, a Monegasque association for the protection and development of childhood in the World, to distribute hundreds of solar lamps in schools in the Tidjikja region.

THE MOST INTENSE OF THE AFRICA ECO RACE

The management of the AFRICA ECO RACE ® announced last night at the Aidzidine briefing, this 8th stage would be one of the most beautiful but also one of the most difficult of this 12th edition. They were right because at 19:00 Mauritanian time, only about thirty motorcycles and about fifteen cars, trucks and SSV had returned to the bivouac. Knowing that the first bikes had started at 7:30 this morning and that the special was 429 km long, it is easy to imagine the difficulty of the course consisting of sandy tracks, wadis and dunes cords, all in the heart of breathtaking scenery. In fact, a true African step in the pure tradition of AFRICA ECO RACE.

THE AFRICA ECO RACE INTO NEXT GEAR

This time, there is the AFRICA ECO RACE in the heart of Mauritania, more precisely in Aidzidine village located not far from Atar, where the bivouac is set. On their side, the competitors got to the heart of the matter with a mainly navigation and dune stage of 477 km. All without any liaison since the departure and arrival which take place directly at the bivouacs.

NEW BLOOD IN TOP RANKING OF THIS SPECIAL MAURITANIAN

After a pleasant day of rest in the sun, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in Dakhla and the traditional dinner composed of steaks and roasted potatoes, a short night awaited the participants of the AFRICA ECO RACE ® since it was at 4:30 am that breakfast was served. An unusual schedule for a day punctuated with a 350 km link to the Mauritanian border and then a 176 km special between Arzmeila and Chami, a village on the road to Nouakchott. A big day for everyone, organization, assistance and competitors and ultimately new faces under the cameras of the AFRICA ECO RACE ® TV production team.

FULL THROTTLE DOWN TO THE SOUTH !

Friday evening, during the briefing at the Smara bivouac, Jean Louis SCHLESSER had announced the special to Wad Assag as being very fast. The boss of the AFRICA ECO RACE ® wasn’t wrong since it took 03:36:03 for the winner on four wheels, at 131 km / h on average, to complete the 473 km. A special course which is not very selective in the heart of monotonous landscapes, but a must to reach the city of Dakhla in the far south of Morocco where the rally caravan will be able to rest tomorrow Sunday.

FOCUS ON NAVIGATION ON THE AFRICA ECO RACE

It is an entirely new special stage on the AFRICA ECO RACE ® that awaited the competitors of this 4th stage full south towards Smara. As expected, navigation was the key to success in this selective sector of 385 km, both by car and motorbike. Apart from that and a specific track fatal to many tyres, there was no major difficulty and the last competitors should not get out of the special too late. A good thing after the long 3rd stage where some have already burned the joker that allows him to give up once on a special before being disqualified.

INTENSE STAGE WITH VARIED LANDSCAPES!

The third stage between Mahmid and Assa was expected extremely versatile in terms of landscapes and challenges. This special stage of nearly 500km, one of the longest of the 2020 Africa Eco Race, held its promise, especially near Erg Chegaga, first real dune cord of this 12th edition. Indeed, if the motorbikes, which left at sunrise, rode a solid enough sand, it was not the same for the autos, many of which will be arriving late today at the bivouac.