Etapa 4, etapa reina 70km.

STAGE RANKINGS

Men :1. Lahcen AHANSAL (MOR- D 1) 5h35’21’’

2. Aziz EL AKAD (MOR- D 26) 5h45’31’’

3. Mohamed AHANSAL (MOR –D 3) 5h49’50’’

4. Jorge AUBESO MARTINEZ (SP D551) 6h12’36’’

5. Philippe REMOND (FR – D 314) 6h32’

Women :1- Laurence Fricotteaux (FR –D 347) 8h06’23’’

2- Didi Touda (MOR - D6) 8h26’10’’

3- Géraldine Courdesses (D163 FR) 9h15’20’

GENERAL PROVISIONAL RANKINGS :

1- Lahcen AHANSAL (MOR- D 1) 13h04’26’’

2- Mohamed AHANSAL (MOR –D 3) 13h19’21’’

3- Aziz EL AKAD (MOR- D 26) 13h39’22’’

4- Jorge AUBESO MARTINEZ (SP D551) 14h03’17’’

5- Philippe REMOND (FR – D 314) 14h44’25’’

GENERAL PROVISIONAL TEAM RANKINGS

1. Kia Motors (MOR D1, 2, 3, 201) 14h47’12’’

2. Comanav (MOR D4, 5, 6)

3. Afat Voyages (FR D161, 162, 163, 164)

The mythic non-stop stage has lived up to its reputation. Lahcen AHANSAL (MOR-D1) has been crowned prince of the desert. He ran the stage in a record time of 05h35’21, with a breathtaking average speed of 12.61km/h, outstripping all expectations. He’s well on course to claim his 10th victory ! The key point was KM32s into the race, just 2km after CP3. Lahcen streaks ahead of his 4 main rivals at the top of the jebel. On arriving at CP4 (km42) he’s extended his lead to 5 minutes. He finishes this long stage 10 minutes in front of Aziz EL AKAD (MAR-D26), and 14 minutes ahead of his brother Mohamad (MAR-D3). Jorge AUBESO is at 37 minutes. In the general EL AKAD Aziz (D26) moves into third position. On the women’s side, we note the remarkable performance of Laurence FRICOTTEAUX (FRA-D347) who won the stage in 08H06’23, more than 19 minutes ahead of Didi TOUDA (MOR-D6). Laurence takes 19th place in the general (men and women combined). Géraldine COURDESSES (FRA-D163) hangs on to her third place, followed closely by Véronique MATUR (FRA D229) who manages to take 2 minutes off Géraldine. It promises to be a closely-run show off for third place. Véronique Matur (FR D229) was the top woman from the first group. This 5th bivouac is on a small plateau, above Rheris wadi, surrounded by ochre dunes and small mountains. Usually very stony, Patrick Bauer has had all the stones removed so it would be more comfortable for competitors and the organisation.28 competitors have so far pulled out of the race, a lower than average number and far lower than last year. The DOC TROTTER medical team have noted a high level of preparation and in particular favourable weather conditions : slightly cooler than last year, lower humidity levels and above all cool evenings and nights which allow competitors to recuperate better.The bivouac is saddened and shaken following news of the death of Bernard Julé (FRA-53) this morning. He had run a great race, finishing this long stage in 45th position. Patrick Bauer, members of the organisation and all the competitors paid Bernard Julé homage with a minute’s silence.The arrival of the last competitor and the traditional MDS welcome lifts everyone’s spirits and shows that solidarity here on the bivouac is as strong as ever. Dianna Kay Heath (US D512) crosses the finish well ahead of the cut-off time. Not only is she given a joyful welcome, some competitors walk several hundred metres to accompany her to the finish. In keeping with the MARATHON DES SABLES tradition, the loudest, warmest welcome is always reserved for the competitor that finishes last : he or she has spent the most time out on the piste, and shown the greatest courage.