The last stage of the 10th edition of the Africa Eco Race was here to confirm the winners of the competition. On a fast track of 219 kilometers, all participants could enjoy the last leg with no pressure and putted an end to their efforts over the last 15 days.

With a last start on the bivouac this morning, the caravan of the Africa Eco Race could look at the start at sunrise. In a pretty relaxed atmosphere knowing that the podiums were already known, the competitors were especially relieved to leave the biggest dunes behind them. They all desired to finish well and have fun one last time before celebrating the end of a rally particularly intense this year with their teams who came at the finish line.

Serradori and Lurquin relieved, Italy honoured

There was a lot of emotion for the Serradori Racing Team as the two heroes of this Africa Eco Race emerged from buggy number 202. After an intense battle for nearly ten days alongside last year’s winner, Mathieu Serradori and Fabian Lurquin (FRA-BEL / MCM) win the most beautiful victory of their career. The Franco-Belgian crew was very moved to share this moment with their team on arrival, we even saw a few tears in the eyes of Fabian, so proud to achieve such results after many years of effort and hard work. They finish second of the day’s leg, regardless of the time, the main thing was to get to the end.
It’s the buggy of Guillaume Gomez and François Borsotto (FRA / OPTIMUS) that makes the scratch today, a last important victory to finish the race after suffering during the first three days due to mechanical problems. Disappointed for not being able to fight for the podium, they were feeling better after this second Mauritanian week.
Vladimir Vasilyev and Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS / MINI) did not manage to win the race two years in a row. The Russian crew finished second overall and suffered a lot from the Mauritanian sand that cost them a lot this week.
Pascal Thomasse and Pascal Larroque (FRA / OPTIMUS) offer themselves a final podium before officially climbing on the 3rd step at Lac Rose tomorrow.

Despite all his efforts to catch the podium, Gerard De Rooy (NL / IVECO) signed a very good 4th place overall for his first participation and finished at the top of the trucks, about thirty minutes behind Pascal Thomasse.

It was a ggod day for Italy with the leg’s victory for Simone Agazzi (ITA / HONDA) just ahead of Paolo Ceci (ITA / KTM) the big winner of this 10th Africa Eco Race.

For his second participation, the favorite of this rally held his rank and was congratulated by the double winner Pal Anders Ullevalseter (NOR / KTM) who came to the finish line for the occasion. Forced to give up because of engine problems, the Norwegian could not compete with Ceci this year but looks forward to taking revenge next year.

Luis Oliveira (POR / PROTO) made it to cross the finish line alongside his compatriot Rui Oliveira (POR / YAMAHA). The two Portuguese take respectively 2nd and 3rd place of the overall ranking. A very good performance for Luis, youngest participant who at 25 makes a remarkable entry into the world of rallying.

RESULTS 11th stage : Akjoujt / St Louis : 558km*
Car / Truck:
1. Guillaume Gomez / François Borsotto n°207 (FRA) 01 :36 :19
2. Mathieu Serradori / Fabian Lurquin n°202 (FRA) + 00 :01 :42
3. Pascal Thomasse / Pascal Larroque n°206 (FRA) + 00 :04 :40

Bike:
1. Simone Agazzi n°120 (ITA) 02 :00 :39
2. Paolo Ceci n°101 (ITA) + 00 :01 :59
2. Jonathan Blackburn n°128 (GBR) + 00 :06 :35

Overall*
Car / Truck:
1. Mathieu Serradori / Fabian Lurquin n°202 (FRA) 40 :18 :50
2. Vladimir Vasilyev / Konstantin Zhiltsov n°201 (RUS) + 01 :07 :31
3. Pasal Thomasse / Pascal Larroque n°206 (FRA) + 04 :10 :40

Bike:
1. Paolo Ceci n°101 (ITA) 47 :21 :53
2. Luis Miguel Anjos Oliveira n°114 (POR) + 01 :26 :20
3. Rui Oliveira n°115 (POR) + 06 :43 :27
* Provisional results, subject to changes in ranking after jury deliberation