Moroccan cyclist Tarek Chaoufi, representing the continental team “Sidi Ali Unlock,” came in second during the second stage of the fifth Sahel Tour in Mauritania on Thursday.
Competition in the second stage over a distance of 74 kilometers between Yagref and Aoujeft was intense, as Chaoufi finished just two seconds behind the winner, Dutch cyclist Bram van Herk from the “Global Cycling” team, who completed the race in 1 hour, 54 minutes, and 57 seconds. Moroccan cyclist Zouhair Rahil, also from the “Sidi Ali Unlock” team, came in fourth.
In the overall team rankings, “Sidi Ali–Unlock Team” landed the top spot with a total time of 13 hours, 14 minutes, and 50 seconds, surpassing the Moroccan team “Agadir Velo Pro-Pulsion,” which dropped to third place after winning the first stage.
Competitors in the third stage on Friday will race over a 102-kilometer route between the cities of Atar and Choum.
The Sahel Tour, registered in the International Cycling Union’s calendar (category 2.2), consists of five stages covering a total distance of over 460 kilometers.
Morocco is participating in this year’s edition with two continental teams, “Agadir Velo Pro-Pulsion” and “Sidi Ali Unlock,” alongside national teams and clubs from various African, European, and Asian countries, including Tunisia, Algeria, Senegal, Rwanda, the Netherlands, Germany, and Saudi Arabia, in addition to two teams from host country Mauritania.
In 2023, the Moroccan national cycling team dominated the fourth Tour du Sahel, winning both the individual and team general classifications.