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It was 6:30 am on Tuesday , January 2nd , 2024 , when the first vehicle in the caravan touched down on the quayside of the port of Nador in northern Morocco . With the administrative formalities out of the way , the first motorcycle set off on the 185-kilometre route to the start line near to Debdou , almost one and a half hours behind schedule . Such is the adventure that is the Africa ECO Race , a cross country rally that follows the route of the original Dakar .
Growing in stature every year , and there ’ s now been fifteen of them , the Africa ECO Race is considered by many to be the true Dakar where the spirit of adventure is not diminished by the corporate dollars and political pressure . It ’ s a rally that sees most two-wheeled competitors taking on the challenges of northwest Africa on machines that anyone can purchase from their local dealer .
The 2024 program included a rolling special stage one with frequent changes of direction , and in the end , 173 kilometres swallowed up in one hour fifty-four minutes and nine seconds by the Aprilia Tuareg 660 of Italian Jacopo Cerutti . A superb performance for the Italian brand ’ s return to offroad rallies , ahead of the two Yamaha Ténéré 700s of Alessandro Botturi and Pol Tarres . The trio within two minutes of each other .
As if the more accustomed bikes of Aprilia and Yamaha weren ’ t enough , it was the completely new to this discipline of racing , Harley Davidson 1250 Pan America that many were watching as Spaniard , Joan Pedrero brought it home in eighth place .
From sunrise , with sub-zero temperatures at the Boudnib bivouac , the second day got off to a difficult start for everyone . The 383-kilometre special stage between Boudnib and Mhamid would not make it any easier .
Cerutti started first and led the way all day on his Aprilia . Without ever being caught up , the Italian widened the gap over the two Yamahas of Tarres and Botturi providing himself with an overall lead of almost 9 minutes . The top three bikes took just over four hours to complete the stage .
With 8 degrees on the thermometer , the temperature was already much milder on the morning of Thursday January 4 at the start of the Oued Draa bivouac , close
TRAVERSE 11