Between rivers of sand and treacherous waypoints, the rally-raid directed by Lluis Rosa opens with a stage of pure agonism
The first stage of FenekRally 2025 immediately ignited the heart of the Moroccan desert with an intense and technical day, capable of testing even the most experienced riders. The planned 283 kilometers — 207 of them timed special — offered a constant alternation of pace and difficulty. After a very short liaison from the Kasbah Cergui base in Erfoud, the caravan launched onto fast tracks leading to the first critical waypoint. From that point on, the terrain changed several times: off-track sections, technical sectors and controlled-speed zones followed one another up to kilometer 42, where competitors had to cross a true “river” of sand. The tracks became fast again from km 45 to 95, though not without traps: four limited-speed sectors and two delicate waypoints kept tension high until the break and refueling.
The second part of the special maintained the same level of complexity. The tracks became more demanding, marked by frequently dangerous waypoints and a short stretch of asphalt, before entering what turned out to be the most technical segment of the day: three kilometers of narrow, heavily deteriorated tracks from km 159 to 162. The final part alternated more flowing sections with delicate terrain up to kilometer 208, when a 71-km liaison brought teams back to the Erfoud bivouac. The terrain composition reflected the stage’s variety: a clear predominance of tracks (83%), interspersed with stones and sand in equal measure (5% each), along with a few incursions onto asphalt.
Results: de Gavardo, Santosh and Moliner shine; tight battle between SSV and T1
In the sporting results, the MT1 motorcycle category saw Chilean rider Tomas de Gavardo impose himself with authority in 3h05’40”, ahead of Frenchman Tom Deest, winner of the previous edition, and Spaniard Sara Garcia, who delivered a solid performance. In MT2 the fastest time went to C. S. Santosh, ahead of Jaime Ros and Jordi Munner, after an especially selective special due to the terrain conditions. Among the twin-cylinder motorcycles, Jose Moliner dominated the stage, stopping the clock at 5h11’23”.
The SSV categories provided equally vibrant action. In T3, the duo Herman and Camara reached the top thanks to impeccable navigation management, holding off Schiefer and Noel de Berlin and Leyreloup and Jimbert. In T4, the best time went to Parpottas and Odink, while Guillen and Mata and Rohner and Terre completed the podium after a special made challenging by numerous sandy stretches. In T1, the day rewarded Lopez and Ribas, ahead of Hardy and Osborne and Chapot and Larroquet, while in T2 victory went to Wicklow and Finlay, taking the win by a narrow margin over Rodriguez and Guash and Deru and Fromont. In the Overland category, the provisional standings show Mas and Canamasas and Filippo Franzini tied at the top, followed just one point behind by Lopez and Lopez, confirming a rally opening already filled with suspense.
Second stage: sand, selective dunes and decisive navigation
Attention now turns to the second stage, scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday the 18th, which promises to keep adrenaline levels high. The planned 324 kilometers, with 209 of timed special, will offer an extremely varied route. After an initial liaison of almost 30 kilometers, riders will enter a special that, from the very first moments, alternates fast tracks with dangerous sections and controlled-speed zones. A short asphalt segment will be followed by tracks with numerous critical points up to the entrance of a new sand river, the prelude to a fast section leading to refueling.
The second half of the stage will feature stony areas, new passages through deep sand, a particularly selective dune sector and several technical segments with stones and hazardous zones, before the final stretch of sand and a conclusion on more flowing tracks. A long final liaison will bring the teams back to the bivouac at the end of a section that could begin to redefine the hierarchy of the race.
