The 16th edition of the Africa Eco Race concluded in spectacular fashion at the iconic shores of Lac Rose, continuing the legacy of African rally raids inspired by Thierry Sabine. After a symbolic final stage along the beach with mass starts in successive waves (the final rankings had been locked in the day before at the end of the Mpal stage), competitors were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd celebrating the heroes who braved the desert.
The competitors of the Africa Eco Race 2025 are currently heading towards Kayar beach for the traditional stage that will lead them to the podium on the shores of Lac Rose. Here are the consolidated results from race management as of last night.
Stage 10 took competitors to Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, for the final special stage in the country. The day consisted of 474 km in total, including 409 km of timed sections. The route featured challenging navigation and plenty of sand, with dunes appearing within the first kilometers of the stage. Sandy tracks led the Africa Eco Race warriors to the feared Tifoujar pass. In the motorcycle category, the competition remains incredibly tight on the eve of the finish in Senegal, where the final rankings will be decided tomorrow evening. In the car category, Benoit Fretin finished second behind Pierre Lafay but maintained a comfortable lead of 4h22 in the general standings. In SSV, Pierre Lafay made a great move and is now just 22 minutes behind overall leader Martijn Van Den Broek.
The ninth stage of the Africa Eco Race, planned as a loop around Amodjar, was canceled today due to extreme weather conditions. A violent sandstorm struck the region, making the stage too dangerous for participants, particularly motorcyclists.
This Wednesday, the participants of the Africa Eco Race tackled a spectacular 356 km loop around Amodjar, including 351 km of special stage. This demanding and technical stage offered a total immersion in the Mauritanian desert, combining soft sand dunes, rocky tracks, and tricky navigation sections. A prestigious guest marked this day: Stéphane Peterhansel, known as "Mr. Dakar." Returning to the African terrain where he built his legend, he joined the bivouac to participate in the Raid category (non-competitive) on a Yamaha Ténéré 700 to Dakar. Engaging with participants and sharing valuable advice, he inspired all the pilots present.
La septième étape, longue 468 km, a conduit les concurrents de Benichab à Amodjar pour cette deuxième journée en Mauritanie. Au menu du jour : du sable, des dunes et une navigation complexe, le tout sous une chaleur écrasante. Malheureusement, la spéciale de 392 km a été neutralisée après le kilomètre 241 pour les motos et au CP1 à 50km du départ pour les autos, SSV et camions. Un accident impliquant un avion léger de l’organisation et un motard concurrent a mobilisé les moyens de secours, les rendant indisponibles pour assurer la sécurité sur la fin du secteur chronométré. Le concurrent blessé, n°58 - Andrea Perfetti, a été pris en charge immédiatement par les équipes de secours présentes et héliporté rapidement vers l’hôpital le plus proche. En fin de journée, les médecins de l’hôpital militaire de Nouackchott, où il a été transporté, donnent des nouvelles rassurantes sur son état de santé. Bien que gravement blessé, son pronostic vital n’est pas engagé.
The special stage of the 7th leg, connecting Bénichar to Amodjar in Mauritania, was neutralized at the refueling checkpoint at kilometer 241 due to an accident that occurred shortly before 1 p.m.
On January 6, 2025, the Africa Eco Race crossed the Mauritanian border on the 6ᵉ stage, linking Dakhla to Benichab over a total distance of 703 km. This stage was marked by technical tracks, pure off-roading and navigation challenges, putting competitors' skills to the test.
Heading to Dakhla for this last Moroccan stage before the much-anticipated rest day. A long stage of 629 km, including 431 kilometers of selective sector. A day marked by major twists and turns across the vast sandy stretches of Southern Morocco. After starting in the dunes, competitors moved to fast, rolling tracks. This fifth stage brought its share of surprises and upsets in the provisional rankings. All the competitors and support teams will now take advantage of this Sunday, January 5th, a rest day, to care for their bodies and machines, worn out by this first week.
The 4th stage of the Africa Eco Race took competitors from Touizgui to Laâyoune, marking a spectacular southwest descent. This 499 km route, including 486 km of special stage, offered one of the most impressive Moroccan stages of this edition. The vast desert expanses, interspersed with dunes and camel grass, presented a real technical challenge for participants. Navigation, crucial in this featureless terrain, proved decisive in each category.
The third stage of the Africa Eco Race offered competitors a spectacular day of racing, with a 546 km course, including 452 km of timed sections, connecting Tagounite to Touizgui. Riders traversed uncharted tracks through deep sand, fast salt flats, and breathtaking landscapes, notably near the impressive dunes of Erg Chegaga. Last autumn’s rain added an unexpected touch of greenery to the desert scenery, providing a striking contrast.
The second day of the Africa Eco Race unfolded with a stage linking Tarda to Tagounite, covering a distance of 358 km, including 319 km of selective sector. Competitors faced typical Southern Moroccan tracks, combining rocky sections with sand. The first dunes of this edition made their appearance.
AFRICA ECO RACE is also mutual help and friendship between the competitors
Jean Louis SCHLESSER
Competition and sharing define the spirit of the Africa Eco Race
Xavier Flick - Winner Motul Extreme Rider 2022
This event created by Jean Louis SCHLESSER and René METGE is a precise cocktail where the pleasure of racing bonds with the beauty of the landscapes and the nice atmosphere between everyone on the bivouacs
Franck ALLARD - AMV assurances
We congratulate AFRICA ECO RACE for their support AMADE and enabling Mauritanian and Senegalese students to have access to solar lamps. A child with light at home, is a child able to do his homework when night comes.
Jérôme FROISSART - Directeur AMADE Mondiale
It is always a pleasure for the population of Menton to witness the arrival of all these vehicles: trucks, cars, buggies, motorbikes… It is also all about the human and convivial aspect of this race which races through the city of Menton.
Fabrice PINET - Ville de Menton
I am glad that I was standing at the finish line of AER 22 in Dakar at the Pink Lake. It is the goal and dream of all racers who do cross-country races all over the world.
Team Barth Racing
It's a race with values , human values, eco-responsable values… A true and efficient aid for the Children of Africa and that is important !
SAS Prince Albert II
The enthusiam and passion of the team as well as their constant research of bringing eco-responsable actions to their event, make the AFRICA ECO RACE one of the unmissable events of the Principality and we are proud to welcome them every year. We encourage everybody to buy a maximum of solar lamps provided by AMADE and AFRICA ECO RACE. More than a daily use, they will enable senegalese and mauritanian children to walk safely home after dark and will contribute to reducing the racing vehicules' carbon footprint.
Kate & Didier - STARS'N'BARS
Africa is an happy continent with smiling people, with freedom for racing, thanks a lot to orga work to preserve classic African event based on values from first Dakars... Good luck AER!
Tomas Tomecek - Winner Truck AER 2022
You dream of dunes and beautiful landscapes, follow us to the Lac Rose !
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