Yesterday marked the true start of competition in the Africa Eco Race 2026. Stage two, from Boussaïd to Tagounit, covered a total of 425 kilometers. Originally, 381 kilometers were scheduled as timed special, but due to damage caused by recent weather conditions, the stage was shortened to approximately 218 kilometers. The final section was neutralized.
At sunrise, the caravan left directly into the sand without a liaison, diving straight into the dunes of Merzouga. It was a tough start where navigation proved to be crucial. The route continued over dusty, fast and rocky tracks typical of southern Morocco. The finish in Tagounit brought a wave of mixed emotions: awe, joy, relief and, in some cases, disappointment.
Botturi claims first special for Yamaha
Alessandro Botturi started the day behind reigning champion Jacopo Cerutti on his Yamaha Ténéré 700, but took the win in 2 hours 24 minutes and 4 seconds. It wasn’t easy; he lost about a minute in the dunes but caught up with Cerutti again near the end. Jean-Loup Lepan and Kevin Gallas, who rode together for most of the day, finished second and third within three minutes of Botturi. Cerutti ended up fourth, just 19 seconds off the podium, and reported discomfort with the Aprilia that clearly still needs adjustments. Gallas, meanwhile, was ecstatic: “At some points we were going 150 kilometers an hour, and the scenery was incredible.”
Delencre keeps the head cool
In the car category, the stage win went to Belgian driver Nicolas Delencre in the MD Optimus, with Jonathan Lurquin navigating. They drove a clean and solid stage, finishing in 2 hours 20 minutes and 19 seconds without major navigation errors. Fellow Belgians Philippe Lambilliotte and François Béguin, also in an MD Optimus, followed closely. Tomas Ourednicek completed the top three in his Toyota Hilux. Delencre was visibly pleased with the teamwork and the flawless run.
Lafay surprises himself
Pierre Lafay and co-driver Stéphane Denecheau took the win in the SSV category with their Can-Am Maverick R. Jérôme Cambier finished over 12 minutes behind in second. Dutchman Sander Derikx claimed third place. Lafay was surprised by the result: “We took it easy, made a few small mistakes and even had a flat tire. Yet somehow, we were the first to finish.” Derikx crossed the line with a smile, even though teammate Marcel van Berlo had to complete the stage with a cracked windshield after a hard landing.
Zuurmond back on top of the rankings
Defending truck champion Gerrit Zuurmond once again showed his dominance. He completed the stage in 3 hours and 8 minutes with his MAN, far ahead of the competition. Mike Panhuijzen finished second, more than one and a half hours behind, with Noel Essers close behind. Team Muller arrived late but completed all competitive kilometers. Greenteam Panhuijzen chose to avoid the Merzouga dunes and took an alternate route.
Strategy over speed in the Historic category
The Historic class had a strong opening. Here, it’s not about speed but about precision. Timing, navigation and vehicle preservation determine success. Jorge Perez Companc leads the standings with 395 penalty points, followed by Pierre Bourdeau and François-Xavier Bourgeois. Jonathan and Élodie Metge were forced into the sweeper truck due to mechanical issues, putting their tribute to father René Metge on hold for now.
Bad luck and withdrawals for the Dutch
There was Dutch misfortune on this first real race day. Veteran rider Gerben Lieverdink crashed early in the stage. Despite thumbs-up from passing compatriots, it later turned out that he had broken a pinky and six ribs. He is en route back to the Netherlands for surgery, which likely ends his rally. A tough break for a seasoned rider who usually sees the finish.
Desert storm in Tagounit
After a bright day full of action, the stage ended with a desert classic — a full sandstorm upon arrival at the bivouac. A reminder that nature is not just the backdrop of this rally, but an active player. The time gaps are small, the battle is wide open and the atmosphere is now unmistakably that of a race to Dakar.
On TV Daily
This year, the Africa Eco Race can be followed daily on RTL7. With broadcasts at 12:30, 17:30 and 00:30, the RallyTracks team brings viewers into the heart of the adventure. The focus is on the Dutch competitors and their personal stories, written anew each day in the sand.
