Africa Eco Race: Sella claims sixth win this edition

To the backdrop of some breathtaking scenery competitors of the Africa Eco Race set off for stage 10 of this year’s edition.

The day’s rider took the field over 423 kilometres starting and finishing in Akjoujt in western Mauritania.

Sand and dunes were on the menu for what is considered one of the most difficult tests of this year’s race.

Italian Paulo Ceci struggled with the time special but still managed to cross over in third place.

He did lose ground on his principle title rivals.

Reigning two time champion Pal Anders Ullevalseter was second fastest over the test.

The Norwegian was almost 10 minutes and 30 seconds slower than stage winner and overall bike standings leader Teddy Sella from South Africa.

It was Sella’s sixth stage win this edition.

Despite losing a hefty amount of time with a puncture Czech Miroslav Zapletal steered his Hummer to the third best time of the day in the car category.

With this result Zapletal over takes Frenchman Dominique Housieaux in second place in the general standings.

Overall race leader Valdimir Vasilyev was second on the day.

The Russian Mini driver now holds a two hour and eight minute advantage over Zapletal.

2015 champion Jean-Antoine Sabatier celebrated his first win this edition.

The Frenchman drove his Bugga One across the line just over 15 mionutes clear of Vasilyev.

Meanwhile in the trucks category three time Africa Eco Race winner Tomas Tomecek from Czech Republic took stage honours in his Tatra.

Russian Andrey Karginov remains in the overall race lead in the class with two more stages left.