Rally of Morocco 2024 ranking, stage 3:
Provisional general ranking:
- Sébastien Loeb did not dare to announce it before the start of the 2024 Rally of Morocco. A stage victory was not really his main objective, due to the first competitive outing of his 4×4, the Dacia Sandrider. However, the Alsatian has just produced a major performance this Wednesday October 9 in his start to his adventure with Dacia. The Frenchman, navigated by Fabian Lurquin, won the third stage!
- Loeb-Lurquin won after a choice section: 687 km, including 327 of special, the longest stage of the Rallye du Maroc 2024. The route included a passage in the erg of the dunes of Merzouga, the most demanding in the country and which have nothing to envy of the dunes of Saudi Arabia which will adorn the Dakar 2025 (January 3-17). A race in which Sébastien Loeb and the Dacia Sandriders will take part.
- The nine-time world rally champion (WRC) won after a fierce battle with the Mini JCW of Guillaume de Mévius. The Belgian, 2nd in the 2024 Dakar, long held the best sections for a handful of seconds, but weakened somewhat in the final difficulties. Associated since last summer with Mathieu Baumel, he finished 2nd at 19 seconds.
- In the general classification, the other Dacia Sandrider of Nasser Al-Attiyah and Édouard Boulanger preserves the lead. The Qatari driver, however, lost almost 4 minutes to Sébastien Loeb. The gap is closing, with only 10 minutes between the two rally-raid stars! As for de Mévius, he goes 2nd at 4’45”. The suspense increases in view of the last two stages.
- The 2024 Rally of Morocco experienced another turning point at km 128 of the 3rd stage, this Wednesday, October 9. Shortly before reaching the dunes of Merzouga, the winner of special stage no. 2, Lucas Moraes (Toyota), suffered mechanical damage. The Brazilian, 3rd in the general classification this morning, called for assistance, a sign that the problem will not be repaired for a long time. His hopes of final victory are dashed.
- More information to follow later this afternoon.
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