The 22nd edition of the Rally of Morocco, grouping the categories (car, truck, motorbike, etc.) on different routes, started on Sunday from the city of Agadir, with the participation of no less than 342 competitors from all over the world.
The competitors will cover a distance of more than 2,316 km to reach Tan Tan, then Laâyoune, before returning to Tan Tan and completing the loop of this sporting event organized under the patronage of HM King Mohammed VI.
The route of this rally, which will continue until October 6, is distinguished by a diversity of reliefs, between valleys, dunes, cliffs and mountains.
The Rallye is marked this year by a new record in terms of participants (342), representing 36 nationalities and 235 vehicles, an increase of 25% compared to the previous edition, which reflects, according to the organizers, the attachment of the off-road rally community (Cross-Country) to this important sporting event .
As for the bikes, the Chilean Pablo Quintanilla (Monster Energy Honda), defending champion and second in the Dakar as well as in the provisional classification of the World Championship, is escorted for the first time in the race by his new teammate Adrien Van Beveren. Briton Sam Sunderland (GasGas Factory Racing), Australian Toby Price and Argentinian Kevin Benavides (KTM Factory Racing) are also there.
In quads, the Frenchman Alexandre Giroud, winner in Jeddah last January, and contenders of the caliber of Manuel Andujar, winner of the Dakar 2021, are also taking part in the Rally of Morocco.
As for the cars, the spotlight of the world of motorsports is on a double match at the top. That of the return of the Audi team against its competitors, but also that of the two tenors Sébastien Loeb (Bahrain Raid Xtreme) and Nasser Al Attiyah (Toyota Gazoo Racing) neck and neck for the title of world champion 2022.
This category is also marked by the participation of the new generation of the hybrid Audi “Audi RS Q e-tron E2″ with Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel, Spaniard Carlos Sainz and Swedish Mattias Ekström at the helm, in addition to Saudi Yazeed. Al Rajhi, Dutchman Erik Van Loon (Hilux Overdrive Racing) and other big names in motorsport.
Regarding the Moroccan presence at this Rally, it is marked by the participation of “AFRICA RALLYE TEAM” which includes the title holder in Rally 3 Enduro Cup Afriquia, Amine Echiguer, accompanied by Hamza El Ouahal and Moad Sahli.
As for SSVs (all-terrain utility vehicles), Souad Mouktadiri is the only female driver to take part in this sporting event.
Other champions compete in this category such as Ali Oukerbouch who achieved the best ranking for a Moroccan during the last edition of the Dakar Rally.
