Stage 2 winners
Moto : Alessandro Botturi
Auto : Nicolas Delencre
SSV : Pierre Lafay
Camion : Gerrit Zuurmond
The second stage of the Africa Eco Race took place between Boussaïd and Tagounit, covering a total distance of 425 kilometers. Although this is the second stage of the rally, today marked the first timed special of this edition, as the stage initially planned yesterday was canceled due to winter conditions and snow. Originally 381 km long, the timed special had to be shortened to approximately 218 km, with the final section neutralized due to terrain heavily altered by recent weather events, making some areas impassable and compromising competitor safety.
Riders and drivers left the bivouac in Boussaïd at dawn, without any intermediate liaison, to head straight into the Merzouga dunes. It was a demanding start, with challenging navigation through the sand, before opening onto long, fast, dusty, and rocky tracks typical of Moroccan terrain.
An intense special, with tricky navigation, as confirmed by the competitors at the finish.
Motorcycles: Alessandro Botturi Wins on Yamaha Ténéré 700
Starting behind defending champion Jacopo Cerutti, Alessandro Botturi claimed victory in 2:24:04 after a demanding special. Behind him, French rider Jean-Loup Lepan (KTM) finished 2 min 10 s behind, followed by German Kevin Gallas (Yamaha Ténéré 700) at 2 min 17 s.
A remarkable performance for Botturi, who also reported having lost a little time due to a navigation error in the dunes.
Jean-Loup Lepan and Kevin Gallas crossed the finish line together after riding alongside each other for much of the day, and said they had greatly enjoyed this first special.
At the finish, Jacopo Cerutti, finishing 4th, just 19 seconds off the podium, said:
"The sand in the dunes was very supportive, thanks to the cool temperatures overnight and recent weather. It was a difficult stage, with challenging navigation in the dunes, but I managed to stay focused. I think I delivered a good performance."
Alessandro Botturi confirmed the difficulty of the stage:
"Navigation was not easy. I got lost for a short while, but I stayed calm and managed to find the right path. I think I lost about a minute with this navigation mistake."
Kevin Gallas added:
"An incredible special in breathtaking landscapes, a lot of fun on the bike, and some fast sections where we reached 150 km/h with Jean-Loup. Very promising for the rest of the rally."
Cars: Nicolas Delencre Wins in MD Optimus
The Belgian Config Racing Team crew, co-driven by Jonathan Lurquin, won the special in 2:20:19, ahead of their fellow Belgians Philippe Lambilliotte / François Béguin by 3 min 52 s. The two MD Optimus vehicles took the first two positions, ahead of Tomas Ourednicek (Toyota Hilux), 5 min 24 s behind the winner.
Nicolas Delencre said:
"We made no mistakes despite the complex navigation. We are very happy with today’s stage, and the car performed perfectly."
SSV: Pierre Lafay Wins on Can-Am Maverick R
The 2025 SSV winner took victory in this first special with his co-driver Stéphane Denecheau, in 2:24:34, ahead of Jérôme Cambier by over 12 minutes. In third place, Sander Derickx finished nearly 13 minutes behind the winner and current SSV leader.
At the finish, Pierre Lafay seemed surprised by his performance:
"I find it strange that no other SSV arrived before us. We drove rather carefully, made a few minor mistakes, and even had a flat tire..."
Trucks: Gerrit Zuurmond Takes First Place
Among the trucks, the 2025 Africa Eco Race winner dominated the competition with a time of 3:08:02, ahead of Mike Panhuijzen at 1:42:25 behind, and Noel Essers at 1:43:20.
Historic Category: Off to a Strong Start
The Historic category is off to a strong start, in the birthplace of rally-raid, with a new level of challenge this year, according to early comments from competitors. There is no timed stage in this category; instead, competitors are assessed through navigation tests, where success depends on the combination of time management / roadbook reading / driving skill / mechanical preservation. As René Metge once said:
"In the desert, think far ahead before going fast."
Multiple tests, with penalties scored in points for deviations from imposed times or missed waypoints. At the end of the day, the competitor with the fewest penalty points wins.
Argentine Jorge Perez Companc tops the category today with 395 points, ahead of Pierre Bourdeau / Bruno Domy (Toyota HJ 61) with 565 points. In third place, François-Xavier Bourgeois (Range Rover) finishes the day with 614 points.
Notably, Jonathan and Élodie Metge, driving a Range Rover tribute to their father René Metge’s legendary vehicle, faced a series of mechanical issues and reached the bivouac in the sweep truck as this report is written.
After a rally start heavily impacted by the elements — from the downpour and windstorm during scrutineering to the snow that disrupted the first stage and forced the cancellation of the planned special — the Africa Eco Race is now fully underway. While competitors tackled this second stage under a blazing sun, they were met this evening at the Tagounit bivouac by a sandstorm, a reminder of the unpredictable and demanding nature of rally-raid.
The tight gaps observed in this first timed special demonstrate the high level of competition and a race wide open, promising an intense and unpredictable rally ahead.
About the AFRICA ECO RACE
Created in 2008, the Africa Eco Race is a one-of-a-kind rally raid that follows in the footsteps of legendary African rallies, emphasizing a spirit of adventure and environmental respect. This international rally connects Monaco to Dakar, offering stages through the stunning landscapes of Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal, culminating on the shores of the iconic Lac Rose.
The Africa Eco Race stands out for its commitment to responsible competition. The event integrates eco-friendly practices to minimize its environmental impact and implements solidarity actions to benefit local communities. It attracts professional and amateur racers from around the world—competing in cars, SSVs, motorcycles, quads, and trucks—who share a passion for pushing their limits, adventure, and environmental preservation.
