COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE - 26 JANVIER

As announced yesterday, the special stage of the first day of the Africa Eco Race was canceled due to difficult weather conditions. Recent heavy snowfall made it impossible to run the stage safely for all participants.

Nevertheless, the competitors set off this morning on a long liaison stage of nearly 801 kilometers between Tangier and Boussaïd. The first riders left as early as 5:30 a.m., under particularly wet conditions, with heavy showers and very chilly temperatures.

As the kilometers passed, the participants gained altitude and crossed stunning snow-covered mountain landscapes. While the peaks were blanketed in white, the roads themselves remained perfectly clear, allowing for smooth progress. These spectacular panoramas delighted the entire field.

After crossing the Atlas Mountains, the crews were rewarded with a return of the sun and temperatures close to 20°C, offering a much milder end to the stage.

Among the first competitors to arrive, the Rainbow Truck Team driver, Gerrit Zurmond, said: “It has been a long day, with many hours spent behind the wheel, but the beauty of the landscapes more than made up for the cancellation of the special stage. Even by avoiding the snowiest section scheduled for the timed stage, we still crossed areas where the snow was abundant. I fully understand the race management’s decision: safety comes first. Now that we are in the South, the desert opens up before us, and the real race can finally begin. Tomorrow, we’ll be able to really push the throttle!”

Motorcyclist Jean-Loup Lepan said: “I’ve equipped myself well enough not to suffer too much from the cold, and I really enjoyed the beauty of the desert landscapes after crossing the mountainous areas. It’s a real pleasure to be at the doorstep of the desert, on the eve of a special stage that promises a spectacular show. The start will be very close to the bivouac, with no liaison, which is perfect. I have no problem spending ten hours on the bike, but only if it’s on the track and not on the road!”

These reactions reflect the mindset of all the competitors: tonight, everyone is thrilled to have reached the desert’s edge, ready to fully dive into the heart of the race tomorrow. A major stage awaits them, with a special stage made up of dunes, long rideable sections, and sometimes rocky terrain, which will lead them to Tagounit.

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