If Stage Four of the 2024 Africa Eco Race was the longest stage on this yr’s route, Stage Five was fortunately a lot shorter for the members. The stage ran and wrapped on Saturday, January 6, with Sunday, January 7 being a chosen Rest Day for all members earlier than they head from Morocco into Mauritania.
Amazingly, Stage Four of the 2024 AER noticed each the highest bike and the highest automotive within the area full the stage in precisely the identical period of time: three hours, 31 minutes, and 53 seconds.
For the bikes, it was Alessandro Botturi who got here out on high as soon as once more, sealing the stage victory for himself and the Yamaha manufacturing unit racing staff. His teammate, Pol Tarrés, got here in second place as soon as once more. As for Tarrés’ proper foot, it is apparently nonetheless bothering him, however he is extra eager about toughing it out than to find out for sure what’s flawed with it. This might be relatable content material for a few of us.
What about Jacopo Cerutti and his Aprilia Tuareg 660? He completed in third place for the day, however he and the 2 Yamahas mainly caught collectively and set a blistering tempo all through the complete stage. Cerutti’s teammate, Francesco Montanari, completed the stage in fifth place behind KTM rider Alexandre Vaudan.
Here are the occasions for Stage Five:
| Rider | Team | Time |
| Alessandro Botturi | Yamaha | 3 hours, 31 minutes, 53 seconds |
| Pol Tarrés | Yamaha | +01:57 |
| Jacopo Cerutti | Aprilia | +03:57 |
| Alexandre Vaudan | KTM | +10:50 |
| Andrea Gava | Beta | +14:24 |
| Giovanni Gritti | Honda | +14:26 |
The time distinction between the highest three riders on Stage Five and the remainder of the sector is not fairly as dramatic as the general time variations at the moment stand. There, you will see that the highest three riders (Cerutti, Botturi, and Tarrés) are all a minimum of two hours forward of their nearest competitors.
Here are the general 2024 Africa Eco Race Standings after the primary 5 levels:
| Rider | Team | Time |
| Jacopo Cerutti | Aprilia | 20 hours, 23 minutes, 59 seconds |
| Alessandro Botturi | Yamaha | +04:15 |
| Pol Tarrés | Yamaha | +04:45 |
| Guillaume Borne | Husqvarna | +2:14:02 |
| Giovanni Gritti | Honda | +2:16:13 |
| Alexandre Vaudan | KTM | +2:59:17 |
With 5 levels already within the historical past books for the 2024 Africa Eco Race, simply seven stay earlier than we see who will win this yr’s occasion. Things would possibly look a sure manner proper now, however something can occur between now and the end line. Stay tuned for the most recent right here at RideApart.