Wednesday review:
The majority of the competitors had returned to the bivouac of Bousaïd Tuesday evening at 9 pm to attend the daily briefing of the AFRICA ECO RACE. An explanation of Wednesday's stage to Tagounite and the first dunes with difficulty of navigation.
The Sporting Director was not mistaken as important gaps developed both on two and four wheels.
Starting in 4th position in the morning, Alessandro BOTTURI wass ahead of the KTM of Stefan SVITKO by 00:01:34 and by 00:02:00 to the HUSQVARNA of the Frenchman Xavier FLICK. Arriving in the same group of six riders who preceded the other participants by more than an hour was Maurizio GERINI who finished 4th on his HUSQVARNA at 00:03:5k.
He was ten minutes ahead of the KTM of Pal Anders ULLVALSETER who said at the finish line that at the age of 53, it is appropriate to adopted a relaxed style. The Norwegian was accompanied at the finish by British rider Robbie WALLACE, also on a KTM. Pol TARRES placed his YAMAHA in 11th position while the only Quad of the race driven by the Czech Zdenek TUMA is classified 18th. Special mention for Italian rider Francesca GASPERI who finished 14th on her HONDA.
In the general standings, Stefan SVITKO leads the way with a little more than a minute's lead over Maurizio GERINI and a little more than 5 minutes over Alessandro BOTTURI. With a 4th place in the general standings, only 6 seconds behind BOTTURI, Xavier FLICK is the undisputed leader of the MOTUL EXTREME RIDER category reserved for unassisted drivers.
Second consecutive victory for David GERARD and Pascal DELACOUR in cars
In Cars another victory for David GERARD and Pascal DELACOUR, 00:10:41 in front of Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO. The noticed success of the day went to the CANAM of Loïc FREBOURG and Franck BOULAY, 3rd at 00:21:33. As on two wheels gaps are develioping as after Imre VARGA and Jozsef TOMA, 4th at 00:37:03, the fifth vehicle to pass the finish was clocked at 01:08:31 - the CAN AM of Jean HAYECK DAGHER and Patrick ANTONIOLLI, the Senegalese crew that shone yesterday.
In the truck category, the battle of the TATRAs turned to the advantage of Tomas TOMECEK by a little more than 7 minutes on the British crew of Andrew WICKLOW, Joseph PEAKE and Matthew Quinton EVANS.
In the general ranking, David GERARD and Pascal DELACOUR have a lead of just over 13 minutes over Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO. In 3rd position is the SSV of Loïc FREBOURG and Franck BOULAY, also leader of the T3 ranking with more than a one hour advantage.
Thursday the AFRICA ECO RACE continues towards the south with a 3rd stage of 526 kilometers between Tagounite and Assa. A long 'special' whose main part will be the crossing of the Erg of Chegaga.
Sadly race organisers have reported the death of Portuguese rider Armindo Neves 51. Neves a multi-motorcycling champion died at the end of the second stage of the competition.
