Rédaction Africa Links 24 with ALM
Published on 2024-04-16 11:02:38
Like the first stage, the all-Moroccan top trio repeated their success on Monday by winning the second stage, which was 41.1 km long.
The second stage of the 38th Marathon des Sables The Legendary confirmed the dominance of the 3 Moroccan favorites, Mohamed, Rachid El Morabity, and Aziz Yachou, who are pulling ahead in the overall rankings. In the women’s category, Aziza El Amrany is already pulling away. However, the real battle among the leaders will begin tomorrow during the long stage (85 km and 1154m elevation gain), now scheduled for the 3rd day of the race.
After a rather short and flat first loop stage (31.1 km and 282 m elevation gain), things got a bit tougher during the second stage. Ten more kilometers were added to the course, with beautiful passages through canyons between the mountain ranges of this completely desert and vegetation-free region of Morocco. Just like on Sunday, the two brothers El Morabity, Mohamed (the defending champion) and Rachid (9-time MDS champion), along with Aziz Yachou, led the race and finished together in the same second. A beautiful display of brotherhood, they enjoyed crossing the finish line hand in hand. But this harmony might be challenged during the long stage.
In the women’s race, Aziza El Amrany didn’t leave room for suspense. She won in 4 hours and 8 minutes, finishing 17th overall for the day. Aziza Raji came in 2nd, 20 minutes behind her compatriot. Dutch runner Adriana Moser took the 3rd place, 10 minutes later.
In the overall standings after 2 stages, Mohamend El Morabity maintains a 27-second lead over his brother Rachid, and a 29-second lead over Aziz Yachou who is still lurking behind. Hamid Yachou, in 4th place, already trails the 3 leaders by 35 minutes.
Among women, Aziza El Amrany, in 19th place overall, is leading comfortably. Aziza Raji is already more than 45 minutes behind, and Adriana Moser is 57 minutes behind the Moroccan leader.
Read the original article(French) on Aujourdhui.ma
