The seventh stage of the Morocco Desert Challenge 2026, originally the longest of the rally at 493 kilometres from Merzouga to Bouarfa, was significantly shortened due to heavy rainfall in Bouarfa. Of the planned special stage, 361 kilometres ultimately remained. Mitchel van den Brink won for the sixth time in seven stages. In the trucks, Kay Huzink claimed his sixth stage victory. Ronald van Loon stands on the threshold of overall victory after seven stages.
Due to the heavy rain at the finish location of Bouarfa, the organisation decided to cancel the second part of the stage. After a final ten-kilometre dune section through Erg Chebbi, a technical track followed that was also very fast in the closing stretch. The finish line was reached after 361 kilometres.
Van den Brink wins, Van Loon holds firm lead
Mitchel van den Brink and Bart van Heun (MP Rallysport, Toyota Hilux T1+, #301) won the stage in 1:15:27. Mitchel said: “It was a short stage today. A large portion of the special was neutralised. In the thin dunes we were able to gain a few minutes. After that it was flat out for everyone. We won and that pleases us.”
Agostino Rizzardi and Claudio Fenati (#303) finished second in 1:19:54. Ronald van Loon and Erik Lemmen (Oase Motorsport, #306) crossed the line third in 1:23:28, retaining the lead in the overall standings. Van Loon said he rode the stage at ninety percent, without any mistakes. In the overall classification, Van Loon has a lead of almost 15 minutes over Rizzardi.
Mike van Eikeren and Jasper Riezebos (#302) finished fourth in 1:24:17. Rients Hofstra and Evert Boersma (#312, Red-Lined Europe) came in fifth in 1:26:52. Vincent Thijs and Tom De Leeuw (#304) finished sixth in 1:27:42. Gert-Jan van der Valk and Branco de Lange (#307) ended up tenth in 1:31:50.
Raf and Kris Van der Steen (Off-Road Racing Team Robert Ranst, #315) started the stage strongly and were within a minute at CP1. Shortly afterwards, their vehicle came to a complete standstill due to an electrical problem, costing them around 30 minutes. They were still able to finish the stage.
Huzink wins sixth consecutive stage
Kay Huzink once again took the stage win in the trucks, finishing in 1:24:47. Martin van den Brink, Siënna and Hans van den Brink (#502, Eurol Rally Sport) finished second in 1:28:37. Martin said: “We had one flat tyre, but we were able to continue on it. With Siënna and Hans everything ran like clockwork again today. We tried to push. That’s why it’s a shame for us that the stage was shortened. We did manage to claw back some time on our Mexican friends.” Marnix Leeuw, Marije van Ettekoven and Bart Gloudemans (#506, Rijschool Fury) finished third in 1:30:25. Pedro De Uriarte, Eduardo Vanzzini and Max van Grol (#505) came in fourth in 1:30:38.
In the standings, Kay Huzink has an hour-and-a-half lead and can only lose the overall victory in a very exceptional scenario. Martin van den Brink still trails De Uriarte by just under a quarter of an hour in the battle for second place in the trucks.
Marnix Leeuw reflected with satisfaction on the penultimate stage: “We pushed to the limit and even got more out of the truck than we did at the Dakar. We achieved what we came here for.”
Willem and Rudolf Meijer win the stage
In the SSVs, it was a Dutch day at the top. Willem Meijer and Rudolf Meijer (QFF Racing, #206) won the stage in 1:25:16. Janus van Kasteren and Marcel Snijders (#205, Renders Racing) finished second in 1:26:07. Erik Wevers and Floor Maten (#202, Taurus T3 EVO Max) came in third in 1:27:00. Jeroen van Kasteren and Rik Vaessen (#221, Shiver Offroad) finished fourth in 1:28:02. Michiel Becx and Sander Van Barschot (#208, Shiver Offroad) ended sixth in 1:32:59. Frederik Meijer and Floor Meijer (#239, QFF Racing) took ninth place in 1:34:50.
Verswijver finishes second in bikes
In the motorcycles, Belgian Joris Van Dyck (#101) won the stage in 1:39:12. Dennis Verswijver (Desert Vikings, #124) again put in an impressive second-place finish in 1:41:07. Wouter de Graaff (#121) came fifth in 1:51:02. Bart van Olst (#122) finished ninth in 1:54:05.
Tomorrow: the finale in Saïdia
On Saturday 18 April, the Morocco Desert Challenge 2026 concludes with Stage 8 from Bouarfa to Saïdia, covering 187 kilometres of special stage with a 157-kilometre transfer. The route winds through a network of WRC tracks alongside an old railway line towards the Mediterranean coast. Navigation will play a crucial role in the final stage as well. The podium ceremony awaits in Saïdia. Ronald van Loon appears to be heading for overall victory, Kay Huzink for the truck win. Mitchel van den Brink is aiming for a seventh stage victory.
