The Bolivian Daniel Nosiglia is the winner of the Dakar Challenge. Clemens Eickes claims the win in the quad category, while Enrichy-Bersey won in the SSV Category. The finish of a rally is always a special moment and the podium of the Afriquia Merzouga Rally was no exception. The highlight was the prize giving ceremony with Said Elbaghdadi, the General Director of Afriquia, congratulating Kevin Benavides, the winner of the rally, Stefan Svitko, second and Adrien Van Beveren, third.
But it was a strong emotional moments for all the competitors, from the first of the Pro rider to the last of the amateurs.
The “motocross style” start with one line of riders per category gave an extra boost of adrenaline to the fifth and final day of the rally: two loops of 37 km at the Yasmina dry lake for a 100% off road stage in the big dunes of Erg Chebbi and Erg Merzouga that reach the high of 150 metres.
A second place in today’s stage, won by Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha), was enough for the leader of the general standing, Kevin Benavides, to win the Afriquia Merzouga Rally, at his first race as HRC factory rider. With today’s victory, the Argentinian won also a free registration for the next Dakar.
Fourth Gerard Farres (Himoinsa Racing), who put up a strong performance, followed by Helder Rodrigues, 5th and Ricky Brabec , 6th. The seventh place of Jose Cornejo, confirmed that the 21 year old Chilean is one of the most promising guy of the New Dakar Generation together with Daniel Nosiglia, winner of the Dakar Challenge. The 21 year old Bolivian fought hard with Joaquim Rodrigues (Hero) and Gonçalo Reis and finally gained his ticket to Dakar, winning the second free registration.
The Hero Motorsport Rally Team, at his debut on a rally, celebrated their two riders Joaquim Rodrigues (9th overall) and CS Santosh (16th) for their very good performance.
The winner of the Enduro category was the Spanish Xavier Amo, in front of the Italian Giorgio Papa and the French John Camoglio.
Double podium in the quad category for the Memo Tours Team with Clemens Eicker, first, and Matyas Somfai, second, both on an E-ATV, while Zdenek Tuma (Yamaha) finished third. A superb performance for the Moroccan Ali Anaam, known as “El Cojo”, 5th overall. He was welcomed by family and friends gathered to celebrate their local hero. At their first rally in Africa, Suany Martinez and her father Leandro kept high the Bolivian flag, finishing a 13th and 14th overall. 15th Jose Luis Espinosa, known as “Caballero Negro”, while Josef Machacek finished the rally in 16th place.
It was another exciting battle among the SSV. All the vehicles started in on line and Checco Tonetti was the fastest of the stage in front of Enricy- Bersey and Roustan / Pernot. In a rally experience counts and in the end the winner of the general standing went to Enrichy – Bersey (AT4R) that didn’t miss an edition of the Merzouga. Gounon- Michel (Los Amigos) and Labille / Niveau (Motricity) took a very well deserved second and third place.