At the start of the Africa Eco Race the Portuguese team of Elisabete Jacinto, José Marques and Marco Cochinho was penalized because of a flat tire just as they arrived at the kilometer 30. They still managed to finish the first stage with a short difference of 4m50s to the third place among trucks that is occupied by the KAMAZ of Anton Shibalov, the winner of this race at the 2013th edition. The OLEOBAN® team reached, due to this situation, to the sixth position of the truck category and the 12th place of the joint classification auto / truck, having spent 1h51m56s to accomplish the 117 km of today’s stage held between Nador and Errachidia.
The selective sector, composed of rough gravel tracks, proved to be very difficult for the Portuguese trio: “This first stage was difficult. Although it wasn’t a very long stage the route was full of stone and navigation had to be done very carefully and attentively. There were many traps along the way and any lose of concentration could jeopardize all our performance. The flat tire we had in the beginning of the stage made us lose about 10 minutes and we were overtaken by some trucks including the KAMAZ who left behind us” said Elisabete Jacinto who added: “we realize that we are still at the beginning of the race and a lot can happen. Our expectations remain high and we will work hard to achieve another podium”.
Tomorrow is fulfilled the second stage of the Africa Eco Race 2015 which will take place between Errachidia and Tangounite. This region of Morocco is known by its traditional customs and is common to find women dressed in black and with the face covered. The selective sector will have 377 kilometers and will be composed of a wide variety of terrains being one of the highlights of the day the crossing of the Oued Draa.
