Africa Eco Race: twists and turns and performances on the 2nd day

The second day of the Africa Eco Race 2025, held on Wednesday January 1, offered its share of thrills and twists and turns. The stage, linking Tarda to Tagounite, covered 358 kilometers, including 319 kilometers in a selective sector.

The competitors crossed the typical tracks of southern Morocco, alternating rocky sections and sandy dunes.

A fast start and demanding terrain From the start, the pilots had to face difficult terrain, with a mixture of sand and rocks. The first dunes of this edition quickly appeared, forcing the competitors to be extra vigilant and technical. For many, this stage was a test on terrain where navigation and machine management are crucial.

A hard blow for Pol Tarres The main event of this day was the abandonment of Pol Tarres. The Spanish pilot, after a severe fall at kilometer 111, was found unconscious. Quickly treated by emergency services, he was evacuated by helicopter and suffered injuries to his ribs and leg. His retirement leaves a vacant place among the race leaders, although the battle for victory remains open.

Benoit Fretin: A solid start and a clear objective Among the competitors to watch, Benoit Fretin started this second day with unfailing motivation. The founding president of the Ydeo group, based in Étrelles near Vitré (Ille-et-Vilaine), has been a rally-raid enthusiast since a young age. Managing his stable with the same rigor as his business, he approaches each step with a strategic mind, leaving no room for improvisation. Despite a few small navigation errors, Fretin got off to a good start and remained in the race with solid performances. After losing five minutes in a small navigation trap, he was able to quickly get back in the right direction and continues to aim for the lead in the general classification.

In his post-race interview, Benoit Fretin shared his thoughts on this stage: “It was very smooth at the start. We were at maximum all the time. The departure was very quick. A small line of dunes over 3 km to remind us what dunes are. And then we stopped to drink water after the dunes and we got lost for 5 minutes but we quickly got back in the direction of travel. A great step. We’ll see what happens next. The others weren’t far behind. We have some time to pick up tomorrow but we’re off to a good start. »

A tight ranking in the motorcycle, car and truck categories In the motorcycle category, it was the Italian Alessandro Botturi who won on this second day, taking the lead in the general classification. He beat his compatriot Jacopo Cerutti and Francesco Montanari. Botturi, riding his Yamaha Ténéré 700, took the lead after a top performance, with a three-minute gap on Cerutti.

On the car side, Benoit Fretin was solid at the wheel of his Century CR6, consolidating his place at the top of the general classification despite a small navigation error. In trucks, the fight is just as close, with Gerrit Zuurmond (MAN) winning the day, but the first two competitors are separated by only a minute in the general classification.

The historical category: Eric and Tom Clayes in the lead In the historic category, Eric and Tom Clayes dominated the stage, with a good lead over their competitors. The duo particularly appreciated the variety of landscapes crossed, with very fast sections reminiscent of WRC special stages.

Conclusion: A rally as intense as ever The second day of the Africa Eco Race 2025 offered exceptional performances and unexpected twists and turns. The competition remains open, and competitors will have to redouble their efforts to stay ahead, especially with the difficult stages ahead. The rally continues to keep all its promises, with drivers determined to do battle on the tracks of Morocco.

The results in summary: Moto :