COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE - 5 FEBRUARY

On the eve of the final stage, the 2026 Africa Eco Race once again delivered on its promises. Held around Ouad Naga, this tenth stage, more compact but extremely varied, tested the riders’ endurance and reshuffled several classifications. Dunes from the very start, alternating rolling tracks and sandy sections, demanding obstacles, followed by a faster but still physically demanding second part: a full day where focus and precision made all the difference. Undoubtedly one of the most challenging stages of this edition… but also one of the most beautiful, capable of momentarily making riders forget the effort and accumulated fatigue.

Once again, the events of the day reshuffled the cards. On the eve of the finale, the suspense remains total.

Moto: Paulin strikes hard and takes the lead

In Moto, Gautier Paulin claimed the stage in 4 h 41 min 42 s. He finished ahead of Mike Wiedemann by 8 min 24 s and Alessandro Botturi by 12 min 48 s.

The day proved more difficult for Jean-Loup Lepan. Victim of a navigation error that cost him precious time, he finished the stage in 14th position, 54 min 18 s behind the winner.

In the overall standings, the scenario reshuffles the leaderboard: Gautier Paulin takes the lead ahead of Mike Wiedemann by 8 min 24 s. Jean-Loup Lepan, who started the day as leader, drops to third place, 22 min 09 s behind the new leader. At this stage of the race, nothing is yet decided.

Auto: Schiumarini wins, Gerard new overall leader

In Auto, Andrea Schiumarini delivered the fastest time of the day in his Century CR6 in 4 h 34 min 40 s. He finished ahead of Tomas Ourednicek by 6 min 19 s, while David Gerard completed the stage podium 7 min 28 s behind the winner.

In the provisional overall standings, David Gerard takes the lead for the first time this edition. He holds a 13 min 49 s advantage over Christian Femont, while Tomas Ourednicek occupies third place more than 1 h 32 min behind the leader. Once again, positions remain under pressure as the finish approaches.

SSV: Van Den Broek consolidates his lead

In SSV, Martijn Van Den Broek won the stage in 5 h 03 min 18 s. He finished ahead of Jérôme Cambier by 2 min 36 s, while Martin Benko completed the podium 7 min 55 s behind the winner.

In the overall standings, the hierarchy remains unchanged, but the gap widens: Martijn Van Den Broek increases his lead, now 52 min 15 s ahead of Martin Benko, with Sander Derikx in third place, 1 h 35 min behind the leader.

Trucks: solidarity on the track

In Trucks, the day was marked by an event that perfectly illustrates the spirit of this category.

The four remaining crews each chose, for different reasons, not to complete the full special stage. The French crew led by Franck Coquide, in a Renault Truck, had decided the day before to start the stage and then reach the finish by the road, in order to preserve their machinery and maximize their chances of arriving at Lac Rose, their clearly stated objective, despite the penalties incurred.

The other three crews started the special stage properly. Shortly after, the overall leader, Gerrit Zuurmond, suffered a transmission failure. His pursuers stopped to assist him and, after discussion, decided together to tow him out of the special, up to the road, and then cross the finish line.

A decision with heavy sporting consequences, but one that perfectly illustrates the solidarity uniting the truck community: ensuring arrival in Dakar together rather than taking advantage of a competitor’s difficulties.

Suspense before Senegal

On the eve of the final stage, the 2026 Africa Eco Race remains more unpredictable than ever. In several categories, the gaps are still close enough that nothing is certain before the finish line. A navigation error, a sand trap, or a mechanical incident could still change everything.

Tomorrow, the caravan will leave Mauritania to enter Senegal, where the final timed stage of this edition will take place. It is at the end of this day that the final standings and winners of the 2026 Africa Eco Race will be confirmed.

But in the minds of the competitors, another image is already forming: the Atlantic, the wet sand by the sea, and then the shores of Lac Rose. The day after the last stage, the traditional non-timed “prestige” special stage will take the crews to the final podium, the ultimate moment of sharing and emotion after thousands of kilometres of adventure.

Here, more than anywhere else, nothing is ever decided before the last line. And it is precisely this suspense, this mix of fatigue and hope, and the promise of arrival that gives the eve of Lac Rose a unique atmosphere, full of anticipation, tension… and dreams.