For the fourth consecutive day, Mitchel van den Brink proved to be the fastest driver in the Morocco Desert Challenge. In Stage 5 from Oum Jrane to Merzouga, covering 262 kilometers across sandy plains, a canyon and dune sections, the Dutchman once again dominated the entire field. At the same time, misfortune struck several other competitors.
Four in a row for Mitchel van den Brink
Mitchel van den Brink and Bart van Heun (MP Rallysport, Toyota Hilux T1+, #301) once again finished fastest overall, this time in 3:26:46. In the high speed special, Mitchel kept his closest rival Agostino Rizzardi more than 8 minutes behind. Ronald van Loon secured third place.
Mitchel reflected positively: “It was a great stage. At the start it was extremely fast. After 90 kilometers there was a neutralization for the bikes and we had to open the stage. That makes navigation more difficult. We could not push flat out all day, but it is great to open the entire route. Then it really comes down to navigation. Bart did an excellent job again.” The duo also suffered a puncture, but it did not cost them significant time.
Behind Mitchel, Agostino Rizzardi and Claudio Fenati (#303) finished second in 3:36:14. Ronald van Loon and Erik Lemmen (Oase Motorsport, #306) came home third in 3:39:45 and retained the overall lead. Van Loon reported that earlier technical issues now appear resolved: “We replaced the front differential with a spare and that seems to have solved the problem.” Vincent Thijs and Tom De Leeuw (#304) finished fourth in 3:44:08. Mike van Eikeren and Jasper Riezebos (#302) completed the top five in 3:44:25.
Kay Huzink strongest again
In the truck category, Kay Huzink (#501) also secured his fourth stage victory. Martin van den Brink (#502) was the best of the rest, finishing more than 10 minutes behind. Huzink, together with Corné Blok and Mark Salomons, clocked 3:43:29. Martin van den Brink finished in 3:54:34. Pedro De Uriarte, Eduardo Vanzzini and Max van Grol (#505) took third place in 4:01:51. Marnix Leeuw, Marije Ettekoven and Bart Gloudemans (#506, Rijschool Fury) crossed the line fourth in 4:04:20.
Martin van den Brink looked back positively: “It was a great day with a 270 kilometer stage. Besides fast sections, we also had beautiful dunes. Siënna and Hans did a great job again. The youngsters are sharp and performing well.” He did acknowledge the team received a time penalty for speeding in a speed zone, something that affected multiple competitors.
Gert Huzink takes stage win
In the SSV category, Gert Huzink and Hugo Kupper (QFF Racing, #203) were the fastest with a time of 3:48:03. Paulo Rodrigues and Fausto Mota (#204) finished second in 3:49:25. Willem Meijer and Rudolf Meijer (#206, QFF Racing) secured third in 3:50:36. Janus van Kasteren and Marcel Snijders (#205, Renders Racing) finished fourth in 3:52:10. Erik Wevers and Floor Maten (#202, Taurus T3 EVO Max) completed the top five in 3:52:36. Michiel Becx and Sander Van Barschot (#208, Shiver Offroad) crossed the line seventh in 3:56:44.
Dennis Verswijver wins the stage
In the bike category, Dennis Verswijver (Desert Vikings, Husqvarna, #124) claimed the stage win in 1:09:53. Bart van Olst (#122, Desert Vikings) finished fourth in 1:14:01. Wouter de Graaff (#121) ended the stage in eleventh place with a time of 1:17:22.
Thewessen retires, RedFox Racing returns after rollover
André Thewessen (ATS Rally, #219) did not reach the finish of Stage 5. Just 200 meters after the start, his buggy dropped to two cylinders. He returned, loaded the car onto a trailer and drove to the bivouac in the service buggy. A faulty ignition coil is suspected as the initial cause, but further inspection revealed more extensive damage. Thewessen planned to carry out repairs and, if possible, rejoin the rally.
Earlier in the stage, the Polish RedFox Racing team (Edward Ruszczyc and Krzysztof Kubis, #220) was involved in a serious incident, rolling their vehicle five times. Both occupants escaped unharmed. After working through the night, they returned to the start the next morning.
Raf and Kris Van der Steen (Off-Road Racing Team Robert Ranst, #315) experienced a heavy crash when an SSV cut them off and stopped abruptly behind a dune. Unable to brake in time, they rolled three times. Both escaped without injury. After repairs in the bivouac, the Nissan Navara was ready again by 20:30 that same evening for Stage 6.
Queen stage ahead
Thursday features Stage 6, the queen stage of the Morocco Desert Challenge 2026. A loop around Merzouga will take competitors through two legendary dune sections, including the Erg Chebbi area, home to the highest dunes in Morocco. For overall leaders Van Loon and Huzink, the challenge will be to defend their advantage in the demanding dune terrain.
