Far from having the reputation of the Dakar, the Africa Eco Race is already in its 15th edition, starting next week in Morocco. The riders and teams are far from having the same level, quality, or prestige, but they face the unique challenges of the original Dakar terrains in Africa – so much so that the motto is “Sur les traces de Thierry Sabine” – “In the Footsteps of Thierry Sabine”, in reference to the creator of the mythical race.
In 2024, the Africa Eco Race will have 12 stages, the first of which on January 2nd between Madour and Boudnib in Morocco – it will have 174km timed. But, until then, since this Saturday, a secretariat phase with technical checks is taking place in Monaco before the embarkation and journey to Africa.
From January 2nd to 6th, there will be five consecutive stages, all in Morocco – including the longest in timed distance, which is the fourth with 468km of race. After the rest day in Dakhla on January 7th, on the 8th of the same month, the riders leave Dakhla to head to Chami, already in Mauritania – in the stage with the longest absolute distance, totaling 635km.
The following days will be spent in that country, until the arrival in Senegal on the 11th stage in Saint-Louis. Then, in the 12th stage on January 14th, there will be a route from Saint-Louis to Dakar, with the traditional finish on the shores of Lac Rose.
In the four-wheeled category, the cars class includes the main ones (T1), as well as the SSVs and, as it could not be otherwise, the trucks. One of the names that stands out is Pierre-Louis Loubet. Usually linked to the World Rally Championship (WRC), he will have his first participation in off-road driving at the controls of a hybrid Apache. This year, the Africa Eco Race has the recognition of the FIA. In total, 45 competitors are expected in the cars, SSVs, and trucks category.
Stages of the Africa Eco Race 2024:
January 2nd: Stage 1, Nador (Morocco)/Boudnib – 174km timed/598km total
January 3rd: Stage 2, Boudnib/M’Hamid – 383km timed/425km total
January 4th: Stage 3, M’Hamid/Assa – 463km timed/523km total
January 5th: Stage 4, Assa/Port Chacal – 468km timed/473km total
January 6th: Stage 5, Port Chacal/Dakhla – 405km timed/593km total
January 7th: Rest day in Dakhla
January 8th: Stage 6, Dakhla/Chami (Mauritania) – 205km timed/635km total
January 9th: Stage 7, Chami/Chami – 454km timed/475km total
January 10th: Stage 8, Chami/Amodjar – 395km timed/485km total
January 11th: Stage 9, Amodjar/Amodjar – 363km timed/467km total
January 12th: Stage 10, Amodjar/Akjoujt – 390km timed/415km total
January 13th: Stage 11, Akjoujt/Saint-Louis (Senegal) – 248km timed/477km total
January 14th: Stage 12, Saint-Louis/Dakar – 15km timed/325km total
