AFRICA ECO RACE: Major upsets after sixth stage
Words and images courtesy AEC
Above Picture; Pal Anders Ullevalseter (Team Norwit KTM)
On January 6, the Africa Eco Race crossed the Mauritanian border during the 6th stage, connecting Dakhla to Benichab with a total distance of 703 km.
This stage was marked by technical tracks, pure off-road terrain, and navigation challenges, testing the competitors’ skills!
Alessandro Botturi demonstrated his mastery by winning the stage, thereby consolidating his position in the general classification.
The Italian Yamaha rider finished ahead of Pal Anders Ullevålseter (KTM 450 Rally), who came in 2 minutes and 56 seconds behind, securing a strong result – and sits fourth overall in the race.
Rookie Iarno D’Orsogna completed the stage podium just 3 minutes and 34 seconds behind on his Yamaha, impressing with his consistency.
He sits 52nd in the overall standings though…
Fourth in the stage was Fujiwara Shinya riding a Husqvarna FR450 Rally and is third in the overall standings.
Unfortunate Race Events…
However, one of the key events of the day was Jacopo Cerutti’s misfortune.
The Aprilia rider, who was in second place overall, had his bib mousse on the rear wheel burst at kilometre 120!
He continued riding until he was forced to remove his tire at kilometre 150, finishing the special on the rim.
This heroic performance allowed him to reach the finish, though he ended up in 26th place for the stage.
In the general classification, this incident cost Cerutti dearly, dropping him to second place and leaving 15 minutes behind Alessandro Botturi, now the leader.
Guillaume Borne took advantage of the situation, climbing to third place, 1 hour and 36 minutes behind the new leader.
Harley Pan America 1250 rider Joan Pedrero was tenth on the day and sits an impressive sixth overall in general classification.
Female rider Stephanie Rowe finished 61st on her KTM 450 EXCF and is now 48th overall.
This 6th stage has shaken up the standings, particularly in motorcycles, where Alessandro Botturi has emerged as the new man to beat.
The competitors now head into the Mauritanian stages, with dunes and incredible landscapes that will put their skills to the test.
The suspense remains high!
The 7th stage will take competitors to Amodjar, near Atar, where the bivouac will be set up for 2 thrilling loops and 3 consecutive nights…
Gallery.
Ai Tanaka (Kisarazu Base Husqvarna)
Christophe Edouin (Yamaha XTZ690)
Francesco Montanari (Aprilia)
Giovanni Gritti (RS Moto Honda CRF450 RS2)
Yuii Kahara (SMRP with Bivouac Osaka Husqvarna)
Yuki Fujiwara (SMRP with Bivouac Osaka Husqvarna)
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