STAGE 9: AÏT AIDZIDINE > OUAD NAGA
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF THE DAY
Moto: Jean-Loup Lepan
Auto: Christian Femont
SSV: Martijn Van Den Broek
Truck: Gerrit Zuurmond
For this ninth stage, the Africa Eco Race left Aïdzidine to reach Ouad Naga over a 490-kilometre route, including 426 kilometres of timed special. A stage with a set pace, where pure speed was not enough: everything was decided by consistency and the ability to establish the right rhythm and maintain it until the finish. Rolling sand, successive small dunes, and continuous acceleration sections imposed a demanding pace, without allowing for any lapse in concentration. Here, navigation remained unforgiving, and the slightest mistake could be very costly.
Competitors unanimously praised the beauty of this special stage, set in the heart of spectacular red and white dune landscapes. The final section particularly left a mark, with long sandy tracks winding through a flat savannah, offering a finish as smooth as it was demanding. As is often the case in Mauritania, the sand in the dunes proved especially soft, making some areas tricky to cross and reminding everyone that consistency remains an essential element of the rally.
Moto: First victory for Lepan, Marini loses all chances
Jean-Loup Lepan delivered a perfect day to claim his first stage win of this edition. He completed the special in 4:16:23, after a flawlessly managed ride from start to finish. He finished ahead of Kevin Gallas by 6 min 07, who also produced a high-level performance, while Antonio Maio took the third spot, 12 min 20 behind the winner.
However, this ninth stage will be especially remembered for a huge twist in the overall standings. Leader before the start, Thomas Marini was stuck for a long time in the dunes. Forced to abandon the special (non-finisher), he saw all his hopes for the overall victory fly away. He drops to 16th place in the provisional overall standings, 6 h 23 behind the new leader.
In the provisional Moto general classification, Jean-Loup Lepan takes the lead with an 18 min 49 advantage over Kevin Gallas. Gautier Paulin now occupies third place, 32 min 09 behind. A hierarchy completely reshuffled at the end of this pivotal stage.
Auto: Femont wins, Van Pollaert suffers a heavy setback in the overall
In Auto, the ninth stage was the scene of another major twist. Christian Femont delivered a reference performance and won in 4:27:32. He finished ahead of Andrea Schiumarini by 6 min 02, the Italian achieving his first podium on the Africa Eco Race in the Century CR6 after a day that impressed all his competitors. Martijn Van Den Broek completed the stage podium at 8 min 36.
But the day was disastrous for the overall leader before the start, Pol Van Pollaert. Victim of a first sand trap early in the special, he quickly lost valuable minutes before facing a series of mechanical problems: hydraulic cylinder failure, followed by power steering failure. This combination forced him into a long struggle to reach the finish. He ultimately finished the stage in 26th place, 2 h 27 behind the winner.
In the provisional Auto general classification, Christian Femont takes the lead of this edition for the first time. Pol Van Pollaert, who had occupied the top step of the podium for several days, falls heavily to fourth place, 1 h 54 min 32 behind the leader and 1 h 15 min 46 behind third place. David Gerard is in second, and Vincent Vroninks in third, 1 h 38 behind the leader. A day that completely reshuffles the cards in the Auto category.
SSV: Van Den Broek wins and strengthens his lead
In SSV, Martijn Van Den Broek delivered a solid performance to win the stage in 4:36:08. He finished ahead of Martin Benko by 5 min 36, while Jérôme Cambier completed the stage podium 10 min 04 behind the winner.
This ninth stage, both fast-paced and demanding, highlighted the importance of consistency and navigation in the especially soft dune areas. Van Den Broek, who drove a perfectly controlled race, confirms his position as a favorite for the overall victory. In the provisional general classification, he remains leader, with a 44 min 20 advantage over Martin Benko, now second, while Sander Derikx drops to third place, 1 h 04 behind the leader.
Truck: Zuurmond wins and consolidates his dominance
In Truck, Gerrit Zuurmond claimed the ninth stage in 5:41:17, ahead of Mike Panhuijzen, who completed the stage in 9:05:06. In third place, Franck Coquide finished 8:43:43 behind the winner.
Martin Roeterdink and his crew, who started the stage second in the provisional standings, encountered some mechanical problems: after hitting the dunes hard, they decided to return to the bivouac via the road and are therefore non-finishers of the stage.
In the provisional general classification, Gerrit Zuurmond remains firmly in the lead with a comfortable advantage of 33 h 50 over Martin Roeterdink. Mike Panhuijzen is now nearly 41 hours behind the leader. This result once again highlights the considerable gap between the leader and his pursuers, as well as the impressive consistency of the Zuurmond team in this edition.
At the end of this ninth stage, the 2026 Africa Eco Race once again confirms its unpredictable and demanding nature. Between spectacular twists, complex navigation, and treacherous dunes, every mistake is costly, and the fight for the overall in all categories remains wide open.
