After three editions starting from Fez, the time has come to turn the Morocco Rally in the most realistic simulation possible of the next Dakar. The big desert preview is back with what they hope will become an improved version of everything that has been seen so far, after having recovered the original DNA of the raids. What does that mean? That sand and navigation will be the main axes of a completely unknown rehearsal for its participants, since for the first time the tour will take place from 1 to 6 October in Agadirto discover the most extreme corners of the Atlantic coast.
The organization has chosen move away from the classic territories that visited the test so far, an idea that has received a great reception among its participants. For the second consecutive edition, the number of riders registered break records to discover the unknown Around the 2,316-kilometre route (1,575 special) that await their competitors in a giant loop that will start and finish in Agadir. In total there will be 140 motorcycles (the only category that maintains the number of entries of 2021) and 100 cars (+25%) that despite their boom, will not stop having significant losses among the competitors.
For the second consecutive year, although this time marked by the tumor that he recently overcame after five months of fighting, Nani Roma will not take part in this Morocco Rally despite the fact that his goal is still to reach the Dakar. But the Catalan is very clear that he will not force unnecessarily: “I have done 26 (Dakar), if we have to wait, we will wait”. Who will return to action is a Carlos Sainz that could not make an appearance in the last edition due to the work against the clock that they carried out in the Audi factory to arrive on time with the new car to Arabia. Then they fulfilled the objective and now, although will not participate in the competition because they run with the specifications of 2023, they will be able to measure themselves first-hand with their most direct rivals from the month of January.
In fact, at Audi there is some concern about knowing the real pace of an Al-Attiyah that will look for its seventh win in Morocco and also, the leadership of the W2RC in favor of Loeb. But that is another story. The really important thing is to find out if the Qatari, together with a Toyota Hilux that Isidre Esteve will also have at his disposal, he had some ace up his sleeve during the last edition of a Dakar that sentenced to the second day. And it will be very difficult for the same thing to happen again in Moroccan territory, which will force Toyota to look for a victory for which Cristina Gutiérrez will also come out determined in T3. The woman from Burgos will stay at least one more year in that category, while preparing her jump to T1 with the big stars.
A great absence in motorcycles
To the loss of Nani Roma on four wheels, we must add that of a Joan Barreda who will not make an appearance either during this preparation in Morocco. His withdrawal leaves any possibility open for the Dakar, but at least the category maintains other favorites among whom he remains Lawrence Santolino. After an exemplary progression in the last visit to Arabia at the handlebars of his Sherco, the man from Salamanca will seek the most ambitious goals against the reigning Touareg champion, Sam Sunderland (GasGas), among others. Why so much Sling (with Cornejo, Brabec, Van Beveren and Quintanilla), as KTM (with Kevin Benavides and Toby Price), they will also not be willing to pass up an opportunity, which could set a precedent before reaching Arabia. Or not. Because in the desert, you never know what can happen…
