The eleventh and final timed stage of the Africa Eco Race 2026 marked the symbolic transition from Mauritania to Senegal and concluded the rankings of this seventeenth edition. The stage from Ouad Naga to Mpal covered a total of 475 kilometers, including 103 kilometers against the clock.
The landscape visibly changed along the way. Where the rally had previously been dominated by vast dunes, these gradually gave way to savannahs. This final stage solidified the standings and confirmed the winners in each category.
Gallas secures overall victory over Gautier
In the bikes category, the stage win went to Jean Loup Lepan, who completed the timed section in 1 hour 12 minutes and 53 seconds. He finished 1 minute and 29 seconds ahead of Jacopo Cerutti, with Noa Sainct taking third place at 3 minutes and 33 seconds behind. However, the overall win went to Kevin Gallas on his Yamaha. After nearly two weeks of racing, his lead over teammate Gautier Paulin was just 41 seconds. This razor-thin margin perfectly reflected the internal Yamaha battle. Gallas, racing as a Tenere Spirit Experience rider, edged out Paulin, an official factory rider for the Yamaha World Rally Raid Team. The difficult navigation of the final stage and the fact that Gallas opened the stage worked in his favor, but the outcome was decided only at the last possible moment. Lepan completed the final podium, finishing 16 minutes and 8 seconds behind, a reward for a rally in which he consistently performed at a high level.
Among the Dutch riders, the prevailing emotion was relief. Lejon Fokkema reached the finish after a tough rally, having struggled with persistent stomach and intestinal issues. He even sought medical assistance and was visibly affected, but ultimately made it to the end. Stephan Savelkouls rode a strong and almost flawless rally until a crash on a slippery liaison section bent his handlebars and damaged the fuel tank switch. He had to transfer fuel using his Camelbak. Hille Dalstra clearly enjoyed the final stage, comparing the riding with short notes to the roadbook rallies he was used to back in the Netherlands.
Controlled victory for Gérard
In the car category, the eleventh stage was won by Magdalena Zając, who posted a time of 1 hour 13 minutes and 35 seconds. Andrea Schiumarini followed just 28 seconds behind, with Enrico Gaspari in third at 1 minute and 3 seconds. The overall victory went to David Gérard in the MD Optimus. He delivered a consistent performance throughout the rally, finishing with a 37-minute and 53-second lead over Christian Femont in the Mini Cooper X Raid. Tomas Ourednicek completed the podium, 1 hour 31 minutes and 13 seconds behind. In this highly competitive class, consistency and strategic decision-making proved decisive.
Van den Broek seals it in style
In the SSV category, the stage win went to Enrico Gaspari in 1 hour 14 minutes and 38 seconds. Sander Derikx finished second at 56 seconds back, with Calin Camarasan third at 1 minute and 45 seconds. The overall win, however, went to Martijn van den Broek in his Can-Am Maverick 1000R. The Dutchman carefully built his lead throughout the rally and ultimately finished 47 minutes and 44 seconds ahead of Martin Benko. Sander Derikx claimed third place, 1 hour and 26 minutes behind the winner.
Van den Broek rode with caution, reducing his pace to safely complete the stage without unnecessary risks. It was a calculated effort that earned him redemption after the previous edition and crowned a faultless rally. Derikx pushed hard in the final stage, which showed in his impressive times. Marcel van Berlo achieved his personal goal of simply reaching the finish line.
Zuurmond dominates and conquers
In the truck category, Gerrit Zuurmond also won the final stage, clocking in at 1 hour 33 minutes and 19 seconds. He finished 10 minutes and 11 seconds ahead of Martin Roeterdink, with Mike Panhuijzen taking third at 13 minutes and 30 seconds. Zuurmond’s victory in the overall standings was the natural result of a rally in which he consistently led the field. With a total time of 61 hours 18 minutes and 21 seconds, he convincingly beat Roeterdink and Panhuijzen. The background of this win made it even more special. After late-night repairs, the team cautiously made its way to the stage, but the truck ran flawlessly and set the fastest time in a controlled manner. At Truck Team Müller, emotions ran high at the finish. Despite a back injury sustained earlier in the week, the debuting team reached the end, earning deep respect throughout the bivouac.
Heading toward Lac Rose
With the eleventh stage completed, the competitive part of the rally has come to an end. The standings are set, and the winners have been confirmed. The focus now shifts to a different emotion: the sense of arrival. In Dakar, the participants will take on the traditional untimed ceremonial stage along the Atlantic coast, followed by the symbolic finish at Lac Rose. It is no longer a battle against the clock but a moment of reflection. A time to think back on the dunes of Mauritania, the long days, the short nights, the mistakes and the victories. The Africa Eco Race is about more than just results.
It is a journey, an adventure, and a human story. When the vehicles arrive at Lac Rose, it is not only the winners who cross the finish, but everyone who has achieved something extraordinary together.
