AFRICA ECO RACE: Cerutti leads Africa Eco Race after stage three!

Words AER.

Image by Tim Buitenhuis, RallyTracks, courtesy AER.

The third stage of the Africa Eco Race offered competitors a spectacular day of racing, with a 546km course, including 452km of timed sections, connecting Tagounite to Touizgui.

Riders traversed uncharted tracks through deep sand, fast salt flats, and breathtaking landscapes, notably near the impressive dunes of Erg Chegaga.

Last autumn’s rain added an unexpected touch of greenery to the desert scenery, providing a striking contrast.

In the motorbike category, Jacopo Cerutti (Aprilia Tuareg) dominated the stage, during the Africa Eco Race, winning the special ahead of Alessandro Botturi (Yamaha), who finished 3 minutes and 19 seconds behind.

Cerutti commented after his victory: “A good stage for me but very physically demanding, just like last year in this area. With lots of sand and very rocky sections, you can’t sit on the bike for more than three seconds—it’s an extremely challenging terrain.”

Francesco Montanari, also on an Aprilia, rounded out the podium over 22 minutes behind the winner.

In the overall standings, Cerutti now leads the Africa Eco Race, with Botturi trailing by just over a minute.

Montanari climbs to third place overall, less than two minutes behind his teammate.

The Africa Eco Race battle among these three Italian riders is intensifying, especially as Alessandro Botturi now stands alone representing Yamaha following Pol Tarres’ withdrawal yesterday.

Norwegian Pål Anders Ullevålseter secured fourth place in the stage and moves up to fourth overall, while Guillaume Borne slips to fifth.

In the Xtreme Rider by Motul category, Guillem Martinez Boronat (Spain) holds eighth place overall, while Joan Pedrero, riding a Harley Davidson Panamerica, remains in the top ten at ninth position.

Borne shared his struggles: “I suffered a lot from back pain at the start of the special on very rough terrain. At the refueling stop, the medics helped ease my pain, allowing me to continue with more motivation and enjoyment in riding. However, I made a navigation error, covering 5 extra kilometers for nothing, but still had a lot of fun on the bike despite the back pain.”

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