Sanders Sets the Pace in Morocco Rally Prologue
In an impressive display of speed and skill, Australian rider Daniel Sanders of KTM completed the prologue of the Morocco Rally on Monday, finishing the challenging 16.7 kilometers near Agadir with a remarkable lead of approximately ten seconds ahead of his closest competitors, Edgar Canet (also from KTM) and Ricky Brabec representing Honda. While the car competitors merely participated in a preliminary shakedown—whose times were not disclosed and do not factor into the overall race standings—the motorcycle category showcased a fierce contest that hinted at the excitement to come in the subsequent stages of the rally.
This prologue marks a significant moment for Sanders, as it is the only rally that eluded him during his successful campaign in 2025. By securing the fastest time, he has signaled his intent to dominate this event. Following Sanders in the standings were his teammate Canet, trailing by 12 seconds, and Brabec, who finished an additional second behind. Notably, Tosha Schareina from Honda, who is in contention for the world title, finished in sixth place, conceding 32 seconds to Sanders. French rider Adrien Van Beveren, also from Honda, came in ninth, finishing 36 seconds behind the leader.
The starting order ceremony for the first stage of the rally will take place on Monday evening, with Sanders' impressive time allowing him the privilege of selecting his preferred starting position. The first stage, set for Tuesday, will guide competitors, both motorcycles and cars, from Agadir to Zagora, covering a total distance of 636 kilometers, including a special stage of 268 kilometers. The excitement of the rally will culminate on Saturday with the conclusion of the fifth stage in Zagora.
As reported by lequipe.fr.
