Africa Race 2017 - Stage N°4 : ASSA > REMZ EL QUEBIR

Thursday JANUARY 5TH
ASSA / REMZ EL QUEBIR
Stage : 409 km
Start from the bivouac
Special Stage ASSA / REMZ EL QUEBIR : 409 km
PUSHING TOWARDS SOUTH !

This 4th stage of the AFRICA ECO RACE® had to be the most interesting in terms of piloting on four wheels. This was the case but the trenchs caused by the recent rains in this region of Morocco also brought out quite a lot of stones on the tracks of the Rally route. So, in Auto and truck, the punctures were numerous and it somehow shacked up the hierarchy established since the beginning of the event, without having major consequence in the overall classification.
 
SELLA CONTINUES HIS SHOW

For the second time since the beginning of the 2017 AFRICA ECO RACE®, Gev SELLA opened the track this morning starting directly from the bivouac of Assa. A complicated exercise which the young KTM rider managed with a disconcerting ease since he won his third victory in four days. Undoubtedly, Gev SELLA is the great revelation of Rally and the discipline since all the specialists present on the AFRICA ECO RACE® agree that he is a phenomenon and futur prodigy. Today, in spite of a fall and a slight error on the course, the South African imposed himself with 13.17 ahead of Paolo CECI, even with a powerfull HONDA Africa Twin which was ideal for the course of the day. Harite GABARI completed the podium by pointing at 25.48. The Moroccan finished in front of Pal Anders ULLEVALSETER, victim of a big fall at kilometer 305 by hitting a rock in a left turn. A complicated start for the Norwegian who does not panic as the road is still long until Dakar. Behind, for the second consecutive day, Russian Dmitry AGOSHKOV entered the top five. It will be necessary to count him for the second week Mauritanian because he had been very competitive in 2016 in the dunes. Three new drivers enter the top 10 on this stage by having a nice fight. The Portuguese Didier FREDERICO, 8th at 1:20.39, Spanish Juan Jose CAMPDERA LOZANO, 9th at 1: 21.40 and Italian Walter DALMASSO, 10th at 1: 21.42. Tiny deviations on a stage long of 410 km.
In general, Gev SELLA now has more than an hour ahead of all his opponents. Sufficient enough to be able to ensure tomorrow's last Moroccan stage.
MAGNALDI FINALLY !

Despite his 2nd place overall, every day, at the finish of the stage, Thierry MAGNALDI never really smiles. Indeed, on each stage, small errors prevented him from fetching the MINI of Vladimir VASILYEV. It was done today since the French won the scratch. The Russian finishes 2nd by conceding 4.16 but MAGNALDI did not however jump of joy because he knows that he was helped by the three punctures for his opponent. Besides, VASILYEV is not the only one who had to work on the track with his co-driver to change wheels. Some have enjoyed the images of Andrey CHEREDNIKOV who keeps growing with his FORD Raptor. The Kazakh signed the 3rd time at 15.57 and he was very happy at the finish: "This stage was incredible in terms of driving. I took a lot of pleasure and I advise to all pilots in love with Africa and Offroad Rallies to participate to the AFRICA ECO RACE®! Behind, we find Patrick SIREYJOL at the wheel of his LCR30 Buggy at 16.46 and Pascal THOMASSE at 18.24 or Miroslav ZAPLETAL at 18.58 with his HUMMER. Nice performance also for Dominique HOUSIEAUX, 7th at 21.31 after a superb fight with the BMW of Victor KHOROSHAVTSEV at 23.22. There also is a Race in the race inside this top 10 between the Tarek buggies of Patrick MARTIN and the OPEL of the Hungarian Balazs SZALAY separated by only 22 seconds to the advantage of SZALAY.
Overall, Vladimir VASILYEV still leads the dance with 27.25 ahead of Thierry MAGNALDI. Pascal THOMASSE and Andrey KARGINOV are already more than an hour behind.
FIRST VICTORY FOR KUPRIANOV

Chez les camions, le leader de la catégorie Andrey KARGINOV a lui aussi été victime de deux crevaisons. Du coup, son co-équipier du Team KAMAZ en a profité pour remporter la spéciale en prenant la 11ème place au scratch auto/camion. Une première victoire pour le camion Hydride, qui fonctionne au Gaz, qui devrait en appeler d'autres. Un fois encore, le TATRA de Jaroslav VALTR complète le podium du jour.

Vendredi 6 janvier, la caravane de l'AFRICA ECO RACE® va continuer sa plongée vers le Sud pour finalement rejoindre DAKHLA, pour une journée de repos bien méritée samedi 7 janvier. En attendant, il faudra encore aux concurrents effectuer 700 kilomètres. Attention, la spéciale de 457 kilomètres initialement prévue sera amputée des 180 premiers kilomètres puisque cette partie du parcours, composée notamment de l'Oued Amra, est inaccessible en raison de la rupture d'une digue à Laayoune lors de récentes inondations.

In the trucks category, the leader of the category Andrey KARGINOV also suffered of two punctures. As a result, his teammate of Team KAMAZ took the opportunity to win the special stage by taking the 11th place in the car / truck scratch. A first victory for the Hybrid truck, which works with Gas, and should attract others. Once again, Jaroslav VALTR's TATRA completes the podium of the day.

On Friday January 6th, the caravan of the AFRICA ECO RACE® will continue its dive towards the South to finally join DAKHLA, for a well deserved rest day Saturday January 7th. Meanwhile, competitors will still need to cover 700 kilometers. Carefull, the stage long of 457 kilometers initially planned will be amputated of the first 180 kilometers since this part of the course, composed mainly in Wadi Amra, is inaccessible due to the rupture of a dike in Laayoune during recent floods.