The Morocco Desert Challenge 2025 ended with resounding Dutch successes in the SSV and truck categories. Mitchel van den Brink was unassailable in his Can-Am and Kay Huzink convincingly steered his Renault truck to the final victory. In the car class, the victory went to the French duo Lionel and Lucie Baud, while in the motorcycles Valentin Sertilhanges managed to pull the rally towards him at the last moment.
Bikes: Sertilhanges strikes in closing stages
In the final stage, Valentin Sertilhanges (KTM) managed to take the lead in the general classification. With a constant build-up and without major mistakes, he left long-time leader Nicolas Horeaux behind, who had to settle for third place. Second place went to Amaury Baratin, who was only six minutes short of victory.
Dutchmen Gerben Lieverdink and Guillaume Martens finished eighth and eleventh in the standings respectively. Both drove a solid week, with Lieverdink performing particularly strongly in the second part of the rally.
SSV: Mitchel van den Brink unassailable from start to finish
With six stage wins from eight specials, Mitchel van den Brink and Bart van Heun were simply unbeatable. The duo from Harskamp and Nijverdal rode flawlessly, had no mechanical issues and were even faster than all cars and trucks in the final stage. Their lead at the finish was almost two hours.
“We drove a flawless rally. Bart and I worked perfectly together, this is a dream result,” Mitchel said afterwards. “It was a great stage. Really fast, with a lot of WRC paths. We attacked and even fought with the cars. We were sharp and are super happy with this result. Bart also did a great job. We are a great team.”
Behind the winning duo, Oscar Ral Verdu (2nd) and Geoff Minnitt (3rd) completed the podium. Erik Wevers (4th) and Gert-Jan van der Valk (6th) finished well at the top of the rankings.
Erik van Loon was unable to start the eighth stage after problems in the seventh stage and mistakes by the organization that played tricks on him.
Cars: Baud stays ahead of Vitse in thrilling finale
French duo Lionel and Lucie Baud (X-Raid Mini) managed to maintain their lead in the final stage, staying ahead of Simon Vitse and Martin Bonnet, both driving for MD Rallye Sport. David Gerard and Pascal Delacour, also driving for MD Rallye Sport, completed the podium after a strong rally.
Although the field stayed close together for a long time, the Mini’s steady pace made the difference. Agostino Rizzardi and Claudio Fenati finished fourth, followed by Maria Gameiro and Rosa Romero in the X-Raid Mini in fifth place. Dutchmen Vincent Thijs and Arjan van Tiel finished sixth, just ahead of Pol Van Pollaert and Olivier Imschoot, who finished seventh.
Mike van Eikeren and Jasper Riezebos finished eighth overall, well ahead of Frederic Chesneau and Stéphane Chesneau, who approached the top ten in ninth. Magdalena Zajac and Adam Szelerski closed out the top ten after a steady rally.
Michiel Becx, who managed to win stages as well as suffer heavy time penalties earlier in the rally, eventually finished 22nd.
Trucks: Kay Huzink reigns, Gert takes daily success
In the truck category, the final victory deservedly went to Kay Huzink, assisted by Joël Ebbers and Martin Roesink. With consistent performances and a sophisticated strategy, the trio did not drop a stitch.
“It was exciting until the end. We are happy with the victory, this is a reward for the entire team,” said Kay after the finish in Ouarzazate.
Martin van den Brink, with Peter Willemsen and Erwin van Voskuilen, finished second in the general classification and also rode a strong rally.
“We passed Kay in the last stage. He had a torn turbo hose and was stuck in a riverbed,” Martin said. “We are satisfied. Too bad about the setback in the first days. However, we fought for what we were worth. We came second and Mitchel won. We are going home satisfied.”
The day’s victory in the final stage was for Gert Huzink, who dropped out of the classification earlier in the week but showed himself to be a good sport by showing himself until the end.
