Stage 5 of the Carta Rally 2025 took the competitors from the bivouac in Mhamid to the iconic dunes of Merzouga. This nearly 290-kilometer transition stage was a true test of endurance and skill, with rapidly changing terrains, technical mountain passes, sand dunes, a rugged chott, and multiple navigation challenges. It was a day for the all-rounders—and once again, Martim Ventura dominated the bike category while Simon Vitse ruled among the cars.
Ventura keeps dominating the dunes
Martim Ventura (≤450cc) once again proved he’s the man to beat in this rally. He claimed his fourth consecutive stage win with a time of 3:05:58, further solidifying his commanding position in the overall standings. Benjamin Melot came in second once again with a time of 3:16:42. He remains close, but so far hasn’t found a way to counter the Portuguese powerhouse. Italian veteran Alessandro Botturi secured a strong third place with 3:19:44, just ahead of teammate Gautier Paulin, who received a one-minute penalty and finished fourth in 3:22:37.
Noteworthy performances included Attilio Fert, who continued to prove himself one of the most consistent riders in the field by finishing fifth with a time of 3:31:58. Surprisingly, podium contender Kevin Gallas dropped to 19th place after getting lost in the desert.
Vitse remains untouchable in the car category
There was little doubt in the car classification either: Simon Vitse, with navigator Max Delfino, delivered a dominant performance, finishing in 2:49:47. They left their rivals—including the SSVs—far behind. The Lacam/Delfino duo came in second with a time of 3:08:39, while the revitalized Cambier/Brousse team impressively took third in 3:09:31. Delencre/Lurquin secured their best result yet in fourth (3:14:43), while Goncalves/Magalhaes rounded out the top five in 3:20:04, continuing their steady form.
Elsewhere in the field, the day took a heavy toll. No fewer than seven teams recorded a DNF, including consistent contenders like Bergeret/Bergeret and Sottile/Sottile. With Morocco showing its roughest side, this stage turned into a real war of attrition. Still, crews like Casteu/Bonnet, Pelichet/Lecourbe, and Labille/Niveau held their ground and maintained their top ten positions.
Tomorrow: Into the Desert in Full Force
Tomorrow promises to be one of the toughest days of the rally so far: a 306-kilometer loop stage around Merzouga. Competitors will face it all—three different ergs (dune fields), rocky sections, vast chotts, and challenging navigation. With rapidly shifting terrains and deceptive tracks, this could be the day that reshapes the leaderboard—or turns it completely upside down. For the front-runners, staying cool under pressure will be key, as the margin for error gets slimmer by the day.
