Motor Sport: Opening-stage wins for Al-Attiyah, Van Beveren and Dutrie in Afriquia Merzouga Rally

The 10th edition of the Afriquia Merzouga Rally got underway in the Moroccan desert town Erfoud in the Sahara Desert. The competition began with a 208-kilometre race on Monday with 127 competitors across the motorbike, side-by-side and quad categories. The opening bike stage was won by Yamaha Racing's Adrien Van Beveren after he completed the race in 3 hours 29 minutes, 10 seconds. Stefan Svitko finished 5 minutes, 12 seconds adrift in second, with Michael Metge in third. The side-by-side event had a familiar name at the top with the 2019 Dakar Rally winner Nasser Al-Attiyah taking first place together with Matthieu Baumel after the pair finished in 3 hours and 52 minutes, 33 seconds. Al-Attiyah and Baumel finished 13 minutes, 39 seconds ahead of Dani Sola and Sergio Lafuente with Federic Pitout and Eric Bersey in third.