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THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2022
STAGE 9: AKJOUJT / OUAD NAGA: 435.56 kms
Special: 411.77 kms
Liaison: 23.79 km
Departure bivouac.
Several passages of dune cords.
A typical Mauritanian stage which is relatively difficult.
MAURITANIA STILL AS SELECTIVE ON THE AFRICA ECO RACE
Second special stage victory for Xavier FLICK in the motorbike category
It was obvious that we were going to see some close competition between Stefan SVITKO and Maurizio GERINI in the motorbike category of the AFRICA ECO RACE, as they were so close in the provisional general standings. Especially considering that in the Mauritanian special stages navigation plays a big role in this challenging terrain. Maurizio GERINI made a navigational error today, adding an extra 40km to his route on the special stage. Xavier FLICK therefore took the opportunity to sign his second victory of 00:00:44 on his HUSQVARNA in front of the KTM of Stefan SVITKO. Behind him, Pol TARRES signed his first podium with his YAMAHA 700, at only 00:08:07 behind the winner. The Spaniard is ahead of the KTM of Pal Anders ULLVALSETER by 00:01:02 and 00:02:52 ahead of Robbie WALLACE, while Maurizio GERINI finishes in 6th position at 00:43:33. Big performance today from the YAMAHA Quad of Czech Zdenek TUMA who takes the 7th position, in front of the Italian Massimiliano GUERRINI on HUSQVARNA and the Senegalese Mamadou BOCOUM on his KTM, while the Dutch Stephan SAVELKOULS comes in at 10th on his KTM.
In the general classifications, Stefan SVITKO now has a lead of 00:45:35 over Maurizio GERINI, who is 01:12:58 ahead Xavier FLICK, who is still the leader of the MOTUL EXTREME RIDER challenge. The first Veteran was Pal ANDERS ULLEVALSETER, in 4th position, while Robbie WALLACE was the first Junior, in 6th position. The only female rider of the AFRICA ECO RACE is in 14th place: the Italian Francesca GASPERI on a HONDA.
Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO do not give up in cars
New stage victory for the Buggy OPTIMUS of Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO today, on this special stage between Akjoujt and Idini. The "Fous du Volant" are ahead of Rudy VOLLEBREGT and Gert TRAA in their CAN AM by 00:40:04. This Dutch team, QFF Racing, finished 00:03:26 ahead of the overall leaders of the SSV EXTREME RACE category Jean DAGHER-HAYECK and Patrick ANTONIOLLI. A great battle for the 4th place overall between the CAN AM of Laurens MEIJER and Robbert VISSER and the POLARIS of Eric SCHIANO and Camille POURCHIER. This duel was won by the Dutch team, but only by 43 seconds on the Niger Racing Team. Finally, Tomas TOMECEK at the wheel of his TATRA truck continues to compete with the cars and ranks 6th today.
In the general standings, Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO now have a lead of nearly 6 and a half hours over Jean DAGHER-HAYECK and Patrick ANTONIOLLI, who themselves have more than 1 and a half hours over Laurens MEIJER and Robert VISSER.
Tomorrow, Friday 28 October, with 456 km of sand and dunes, the special loop around Ouad Naga will be the final big section of this 14th edition of the AFRICA ECO RACE.
