Short third stage Roc du Maroc takes riders through canyon
The third 76km stage was a transitional stage in the Roc du Maroc. After two days in which most riders spent 6-7 hours on the road, it was no luxury and, according to many witnessing the finish, the most beautiful stage so far. Indeed, in the first 10 kilometres the participants were sent through a narrow canyon that ranged from 10 to 50 metres wide with steep sides on either side and for a large part also through the water of the beding in the gorge.
The last 25 kilometres were then a succession of narrow tracks through the many small villages in the Valley of the Roses towards the arrival town of El Kelaa M'Gouna, where riders had to show their navigational skills to stay on the right track.
In the race itself, Jelle Hanseeuw and Frederik Decaesteker confirmed their supremacy. In the first supply Michiel Van Aelbroeck and Bart Seynaeve were still able to keep pace, but on a climb after km 35 the gap was made. Jelle crashed once looking at his GPS and Frederik went over once but all without much harm. At the finish, the lead was 5m26.
Joris Franckaert of the Jobe 86 team had stayed with teammate Benny De Dauw for the past few days who was suffering from a sore back, but both decided to split from today so Joris could finally show his good legs. He finished with the leaders as a solo rider.
The leaders in the masters classification this time had to limit the damage after a lesser day by Stefan Vaes and finished 19m59 from the head of the race. In the 50+ category, it was once again Pascal De Kort and Johnny Goetschalckx who dominated, finishing as the fourth duo at 34m22.
Luc Bellings and Alice Pirard have also found their companions. For two days now, they have been riding near Wim Tollenaere and Franky Taelman and today the two duos walked in together.
Tomorrow follows another longer stage through the Sahro mountain range labelled by past participants as the most beautiful ride.