De Gavardo wins again in MT1, Antonio Ubis Díaz dominates in MT2 and the French Team Turiste confirm their supremacy in the SSV T3. Everything is ready for the final act among the dunes of Merzouga.
Today’s stage at the FenekRally 2025 delivered an intense and emotional day. The route, varied and demanding, tested the competitors from the very first kilometres, alternating fast tracks, off-piste sections and stretches dominated by sand. A long and complex special stage, where concentration, technique and terrain-reading skills were essential.
After the initial liaison, the stage immediately showed its character, shifting from fast tracks to more technical segments, with rocky areas, rough sections and controlled-speed zones that required great precision in navigation. The second half of the special then offered spectacular scenery, with rocky surfaces, dunes and challenging passages that enhanced driving skills and highlighted differences in rhythm and strategy.
The day ended with the return to the logistic base in Erfoud, where teams and riders were able to catch their breath after a stage that combined adrenaline, effort and satisfaction. Another important chapter in this edition, which is approaching its decisive phase.
Classification of the day
In the MT1 category, the fourth consecutive victory goes to the Chilean Tomás de Gavardo (#119), representing the Team Club Aventura Touareg, who completed the special in 3h14’51”. Just 23 seconds behind came Sara García (#108) with a time of 3h15’14”, while the third step of the podium went to Tom Deest (#101), author of a solid performance finished in 3h17’53”. In MT2, victory for the Spaniard Antonio Ubis Díaz (#132), who stopped the clock at 3h20’54”. Behind him, C.S. Santosh (#118) finished in 3h52’59”, followed by Jaime Ros (#117), third in 4h01’25”.
Among the SSV T3, the French Team Turiste (#317), composed of Adrien Leyreloup and Patrick Jimbert, confirmed their dominance, winning with a time of 3h12’46”. Second place for Loic Frebourg and Fabrice Molitor (#302) in 3h39’31”, while third place was taken by Jean Marc Brion and Clément Artaud (#313), crossing the line in 3h40’22”. In T4, the best time of the day was set by Eric Rohner and Diego Terre (#403), who completed the special in 3h32’17”. In second place were Guillen/Mata (#411) of Team Nautica Carlos with a time of 3h41’44”, followed by Andrew Wicklow and Simon Armstrong (#406), third in 3h49’41”.
In T1, another victory for the French duo Rémy Chapot and Bruno Larroquet (#214), first with a time of 4h31’55” ahead of the Hardy/Osborne crew. In T2, the best performance was achieved by Armando León and Sergio López (#219) of Team Big Elephant, winners in 4h20’20”. Behind them, Deru/Fromont (#201) and the duo Eduardo Crooke – Rafael Francisco Cotta Crooke (#212), who finished respectively in 4h23’26” and 4h23’28”.
In the Overland category, the day’s standings saw a three-way tie at the top with 101 points, earned by the teams Ignacio Berenguer/Laura Fernández, Lorenzo Mas/Juan Canamasas and Filippo Franzini.
Statements from the participants
Sara Garcia (#108 – MT1 GPR Sport):
“Today also went very well and I really enjoyed the stage. It’s a route that required great concentration on navigation, especially to make sure all the waypoints were validated correctly. The dawn start, in the dark, makes everything more demanding and increases the margin of error, but as you get familiar with the terrain and its traps, the pace naturally improves. The race atmosphere is extremely pleasant: a family-like environment, with a great atmosphere, stages of the right length and an always helpful organisation. All elements that make this experience even more rewarding.”
Antonio Ubis Diaz (#132 – MT2 Club Aventura Touareg):
“I’m really satisfied, because day by day I have constantly improved. The bike is behaving impeccably, it’s perfect, like ‘a ring on the finger’. This is my first participation in the FenekRally and I must say that the organisation has impressed me in a positive way: always present, attentive and available at all times. A special mention also goes to my team, which for me is above all a family and never stops supporting me. On the first day of racing, due to various incidents, I unfortunately missed three waypoints, receiving a penalty of two and a half hours. Despite the difficult start, I reacted well: in the following stages I improved my pace, found my rhythm again and began a progressive comeback. The balance so far is very positive and I am ready to do my best tomorrow as well, the last day of the race.”
Armando Leon (#219 – T2 Team Big Elephant):
“In the past I have raced three times in Tunisia, but the FenekRally is a completely different experience! My co-driver Sergio and I are in a Toyota HDJ80 prepared for travel and not for competitions, so every kilometre is an extra challenge. Fortunately, the car is behaving well, we haven’t had major mechanical issues, and we hope to continue like this tomorrow. Winning today in T2 was an enormous satisfaction, truly a joy that rewards all the effort!”
Adrien Leyreloup (#317 – T3 Team Touriste):
“It was another extremely positive day. Today again we tackled the route with great enthusiasm, enjoying the challenge of overcoming the difficulties the stage presented. The route was very interesting and well built; we managed to validate all the waypoints without making mistakes. Luckily no punctures and our SSV behaved flawlessly even on the dunes, where we kept a good rhythm. The driver-navigator pairing continues to work well; quick and precise decisions reflect directly on the results. We’re really happy with how the race is going and ready to give everything in the final stage.”
Ignacio Berenguer (#205 – Overland Team HDJ Vision):
“The FenekRally is the very first rally ever for Laura and me! We’re really having a great time, the landscapes are incredible and the route is exciting, with technical stretches that challenge you and others more flowing where you can enjoy the drive. Our car, the Mitsubishi Montero, is behaving very well, we haven’t had any particular problems and we hope to continue like this tomorrow, in the last stage of this wonderful adventure in the Overland category!”
Fifth stage: final act of the FenekRally 2025
Tomorrow’s stage, 21 November, will mark the final act of the Fenek Rally 2025, with a short but far from simple route: 176 km in total, of which 54 km are special stage and 122 km of liaison. After a first asphalt section of 61 km from the Kasbah Cergui in Erfoud, competitors will enter the heart of the special, a stretch entirely immersed between the dunes, where rhythm and terrain-reading ability will make the difference. Once the 54 sandy kilometres are completed, the crews will return to Erfoud for the last time, thus closing an edition rich in challenges, spectacular landscapes and adrenaline. Tomorrow promises to be an intense day: a final opportunity to consolidate positions, attempt a last attack or simply enjoy the finish of a rally faced with determination and passion.
