The Titan Desert Morocco ventured into the heart of the desert on its third day, marking the first segment of the marathon stage. In a gripping showdown, Luis León Sánchez, despite battling through the pain of two fractured ribs, managed to catch up with the leader, Luis Ángel Maté, in a thrilling sprint finish.
Initially, things did not bode well for Sánchez, who arrived in the desert nursing injuries to his ribcage and right arm. The first two stages, characterized by mountainous terrains, were challenging for the Murcian rider, a four-time Tour de France stage winner, as he faced punctures that set him back in the overall standings. However, perseverance paid off in the third stage, where he clinched victory against the resilient leader Maté.
The favorites formed a typical group of seven, navigating the vast rocky terrains that connected the towns of Battou and Sidi Ali over a demanding 108 kilometers. This stage was a test of endurance, favoring seasoned riders like the former road professionals who excel in such conditions.
As the race progressed, only Sánchez and Maté remained neck-and-neck, both seasoned competitors well-acquainted with the challenges of the race. They reached the nearly dried-up salt lake near Sidi Ali, which had recently overflowed due to heavy rains. Just a stone's throw away from the camp where the titans would spend the night under austere conditions—without mechanical assistance or support—Sánchez unleashed his speed to overtake Maté. This marked his debut in the current edition of the Titan, where he had previously won in 2024.
Completing the hot day in a swift 3 hours, 18 minutes, and 37 seconds, Sánchez and Maté maintained an impressive average speed of 32.4 km/h. Following them was the Abulense Noel Martín, who crossed the line 1 minute and 23 seconds behind, fresh off his victory the previous day. This result did not alter the overall standings, with Maté maintaining a firm grip on the lead, boasting a 9-minute and 23-second advantage over Sánchez and a 9-minute and 50-second lead over Portuguese rider Bruno Rosa.
"The stage was tough; I was warming up at the beginning. With the rib issues, it’s more complicated. This is the marathon stage, so there are no massages, no mechanics, nothing at all. The rib problem is no excuse; nobody forced me to come here, and I must keep my word and be grateful to the sponsor and the organization. I will try to enjoy it as always," Sánchez said at the finish line.
In the women's category, there were no changes, with another stellar performance from Dutch rider Tessa Kortekaas, who has been dominant throughout the event. With the overall standings already decided, her goal is to "compete with the boys," and in this first segment of the marathon stage, she secured the twentieth position.
"I managed to finish ninth in my first Titan, and I have repeated that position this year. Tomorrow brings the hardest part of the marathon stage, which is very long and complicated. I hope to recover and maintain this level," she concluded.
The fourth stage of the Titan will be the second chapter of the marathon day, connecting Sidi Ali and Merzouga over a distance of 123 kilometers and an elevation gain of 804 meters. This marks the queen stage of this edition of the Titan Desert Morocco, featuring a route that is a classic among desert raids, akin to the rally races commonly held in the region.
As reported by esciclismo.com.
