The third stage of the Morocco Desert Challenge 2026 has shaken up the standings considerably. On the 286-kilometre loop around M’Hamid, a day full of sand that was both fast and technical, featuring a second crossing of the Erg Chegaga dune sea in the morning and spectacular vegetated desert landscapes in the afternoon, mechanical problems caused major shifts in the overall picture. Kay Huzink was the big winner of the day. Mitchel van den Brink lost more than four hours to technical issues and saw his leading position evaporate entirely.
Mitchel van den Brink hit hard
The biggest blow of the day fell on Mitchel van den Brink (MP Rallysport, Toyota Hilux T1+, #301). The duo started the third stage already without a functioning four-wheel drive system. Further problems emerged later in the special, forcing them to stop in order to prevent additional damage. To make matters worse, the assistance vehicle also ran into trouble, leaving them waiting a long time for spare parts. Mitchel looked back with disappointment: “It started at the beginning of the stage. We set off without four-wheel drive. We tried to get as far as we could. It’s a shame — there was nothing we could do about it. It didn’t go entirely to plan, but we did make it to the finish.” The duo lost over four hours and now sit thirteenth in the overall standings, 3 hours and 46 minutes behind the leader.
Cars: Van Loon takes the lead
The stage win in the car category went to Italian Agostino Rizzardi with Claudio Fenati (#303, Century CR-6) in 3:46:21. Vincent Thijs finished second, just ahead of Ronald van Loon. The Dutch Toyota driver from Oase Motorsport has thereby taken over the lead in the standings. After three stages, Van Loon holds a 44-second advantage over Belgian Thijs. Ronald van Loon and Erik Lemmen (#306) finished third in 3:53:26.
Oase Motorsport reported that Van Loon had been running at the front for much of the day, but encountered setbacks along the way. Thanks to some improvisation, he still managed to finish third on the stage.
Trucks: Huzink dominant again
In the truck category, Kay Huzink (De Rooy FPT, Iveco Powerstar, #501) dominated the stage in 3:56:07, claiming his second consecutive stage victory. Pedro De Uriarte, Eduardo Vanzzini and Max van Grol (#505) finished second in 4:32:04. Darek Lysek (#503) took third in 4:32:51, followed by Marnix Leeuw, Marije van Ettekoven and Bart Gloudemans (#506, Rijschool Fury) in fourth at 4:34:22. The entire top four was made up of Iveco drivers.
Martin van den Brink finished fifth, 55 minutes behind winner Huzink. The Eurol Rally Sport truck became stuck on the highest dune of the stage. Martin said: “At that high crest we just couldn’t make it over. We were stuck, but nobody came past — so we had to dig the truck out ourselves.” Earlier in the day, Martin had also stopped for a quarter of an hour to help Mitchel.
In the overall standings, Kay Huzink holds a firm grip on the lead. Martin van den Brink sits third, just over an hour behind the leader and around ten minutes behind second-placed Pedro De Uriarte.
SSVs: Gert Huzink takes stage win
In the SSV category, Gert Huzink with Hugo Kupper (QFF Racing, Can-Am Maverick X3, #203) was the fastest of the day in 3:46:27. Paulo Rodrigues and Fausto Mota (#204) finished second in 3:47:56. Janus van Kasteren and Marcel Snijders (#205, Renders Racing) came third in 3:56:44. Willem Meijer and Rudolf Meijer (QFF Racing, #206) crossed the line fourth in 3:58:47. Michiel Becx and Sander Van Barschot (#208, Shiver Offroad) finished eighth in 4:14:05. Thijs jr. Heezen and Sam Van Kemenade (#212, Van Eerd Racing) ended up tenth in 4:18:17.
Bikes: Dennis Verswijver onto the podium
In the motorcycle category, Frenchman Julien Dalbec (#105) won the stage in 4:17:35. Dennis Verswijver (Desert Vikings, Husqvarna, #124) rode an excellent third place in 4:31:12. Wouter de Graaff (#121) dropped back slightly to fifth in 4:42:32. Bart van Olst (#122) finished eighth in 4:53:30.
Van Tiel and Van der Steen press on despite setbacks
Navigator Arjan van Tiel (ATS Rally, #219) reported that he and driver André Thewessen suffered a breakdown at kilometre 70 after a strong start: a broken rear-right driveshaft combined with suspension damage. After an hour and a half of repairs they were able to continue and complete the stage. Raf and Kris Van der Steen (#315, Garage Robert Ranst) finished fifteenth in the car category and sit third in their class in the overall standings. Kris Van der Steen acknowledged that navigation became more demanding after the first section, but that all waypoints were collected.
Tomorrow: Stage 4 to Oum Jrane
On Tuesday 14 April, Stage 4 covers 350 kilometres from M’Hamid to Oum Jrane, with no liaison section. After technical mountain passes, competitors will face a 60-kilometre desert plain dotted with acacia trees, followed by a new route through tajine-shaped mountains heading north. Sandy tracks make this a classic cross-country day. For Kay Huzink and Ronald van Loon, leaders in the truck and car categories respectively, the priority is to protect the advantages they have built up. For Mitchel van den Brink, the fightback begins.
