Debuting in major off-road races, Pierre-Louis Loubet was the fastest on the second stage of the Africa Eco Race this Wednesday. There is a change in the leader, now being the equally debutant Gautier Paulin – motocross world champion.
The connection between Boudnib and Mhamid had 382.72km timed and the official Apaches stood out. Loubet completed the course in 4h38m35s, surpassing teammate Paulin by 5m24s. In third place was Heatcliff Zingraf (Casteu Trophy/Can-Am) 8m26s behind the top, winning in the T4 group. In the SSV race, Frédéric Henricy (AT45/Polaris) was the strongest in fourth, beating Philippe Champigne (Team Adventure 79/Can-Am).
To find the first T1, you have to go down to ninth place in the combined cars + trucks, Pascal Feryn (Feryn Dakar Team/Toyota). The Belgian was immediately behind the best truck, Aad van Velsen (Van Velsen Rally Sport/Scania). He surpassed Tomas Tomecek (Promet Chzechoslovak Group Team/Tatra) among the heavyweights, by 3m18s. Highlight for the 11th absolute place of the Portuguese Ricardo Sousa/Jorge Brandão (Old Friends Rally Team/Can-Am), who were third in the T3.
In the overall standings, Paulin climbed four positions to lead in the four wheels, 2m18s ahead of Zingraf. Loubet rose to third and is 9m54s behind. Carlos Vento (Old Friends Rally Team/Can-Am), who won the first stage yesterday, dropped to fifth – behind Henricy and ahead of Pascal Feryn, who respectively lead the SSV and T1. Tomecek is the leader among the trucks, with a lead of 16m09s over van Velsen.
Top ten absolute of Stage 2:
Top ten absolute of the overall after Stage 2:
