Stage 3 of the Africa Eco Race 2026 took competitors from Tagounit to Assa. With a total of 514 kilometers, including a 440-kilometer timed special, it proved to be a demanding day for both riders and machines. The route combined fast but deceptively rough tracks, the dunes of Erg Chegaga, and treacherous rocky sections toward the end. Navigation was complex, forcing many participants to stop and search for the correct path.
Marini takes stage win and overall lead
Thomas Marini made the difference aboard his Husqvarna 450 Rally, winning the stage in 4 hours and 53 minutes. The result also gave him the overall lead. Kevin Gallas and Jean-Loup Lepan followed, finishing 7 minutes 53 seconds and 8 minutes 54 seconds behind respectively. Lepan mentioned that despite crashing early in the special, he regained confidence when leading the way again later in the stage. Marini kept his cool in the challenging terrain, calling it “a demanding but encouraging stage.” A noteworthy moment came from David Frétigné, who stopped to share fuel with Noa Sainct, a gesture that reflects the unique spirit of this rally.
Lieverdink undergoes surgery, Van Pelt pushes on
Team manager Bennie Migchelbrink provided an update on rider Gerben Lieverdink, who underwent surgery in Errachidia for a broken finger and ribs, with a punctured lung also diagnosed. Despite this, his condition is stable. Meanwhile, father and son Van Pelt reported that the strong winds made riding especially difficult. The wind pulled at the riders’ arms, forcing many to ride seated, which caused additional discomfort. Quitting is not an option for them. Dakar is still far away, and with that level-headed mindset, they lined up at the start again this morning. For Van Pelt Jr, this marks his return to major rally racing since his last Dakar appearance in 2017 as a Malle Moto competitor.
Van Pollaert wins, Lafay takes the lead
In the car category, the stage win went to Belgian driver Pol Van Pollaert in the MD Optimus, co-driven by Anthony Pes. Just 1 minute and 9 seconds behind came Pierre Lafay in his Can-Am. Thanks to consistent performance, Lafay now leads both the car and SSV standings. Philippe Lambilliotte completed the day’s top three. In the general classification, Van Pollaert now trails by just 58 seconds, with Lambilliotte also within three minutes of the leader. Lafay praised his co-driver and said they had chosen to approach the long and tough stage with caution.
Dutchman Sander Derikx started strong, riding side-by-side with Tomas Ourednicek in a Toyota Hilux. But midway through the stage, things went wrong. While climbing a dune, Derikx lost control and was forced onto a bad line, resulting in a rollover with his Can-Am. Ourednicek stopped to check on him, and later that day, Derikx helped stranded competitors himself. His QFF teammate Martijn van den Broek called it “a true Dakar stage” and was the fastest SSV in the team. Marcel van Berlo lost valuable time but still managed to reach Assa.
Zuurmond dominates, Panhuijzen rebuilds confidence
Gerrit Zuurmond continues to dominate the truck category. He won the stage once again and did so convincingly. In the overall standings, he now holds nearly a four-hour lead. At the time of reporting, his Rainbow Truck Team MAN TGA was the only truck officially classified as a finisher, further reinforcing his lead. Mike Panhuijzen had a solid day and appears to have regained confidence, partly thanks to his cooperation with Truck Team Muller during the stage. That same team made a notable mistake by following a set of truck tracks through the dunes, only to realize they were their own service Unimog’s tracks.
Family project turns into dream journey
In the Historic category, Jorge Perez Companc once again set the pace, driving together with his son Ezequiel. They completed a flawless day and extended their lead. “We wanted to drive these routes we used to watch on TV. Experiencing this together is a dream come true,” father and son said at the finish. This category has no timed specials but works with a points system based on navigation, time, and vehicle preservation.
Daily on Television
This year, the Africa Eco Race is featured daily on RTL7. With episodes airing at 12:30, 17:30, and 00:30, RallyTracks brings viewers into the heart of the adventure. The focus is on the Dutch competitors and their stories.
