South African Giniel De Villiers wins the 2019 Morocco Rally

South African driver Giniel De Villiers (Toyota) won Wednesday's Rally Morocco 2019, ahead of Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Mini Cooper) and Frenchman Mathieu Serradori (Century Racing). De Villiers won his fourth Rally in Morocco, having already won with Nissan and Volkswagen.
The South African came first in the fifth and final stage (Special), which linked Midelt to Michlifen, near Ifrane, ahead of Dutchman Bernard ten Brinke and Saudi Arabian Yazeed Al Rajhi.
In motorcycle, the final victory went to the American Short Andrew (Husqvarna), in front of the Chilean Pablo Qintanilla (Husqvarna) and the Spaniard Joan Barreda (Honda).
The 2019 edition of the Rally of Morocco saw the participation of the best crews of the discipline, according to the director of this sporting event, David Castera.
Spanish champion Fernando Alonso, one of the best racing drivers in history, took part in Morocco in his first rally-raid.
The kickoff of this edition was given last Friday in Fez, before passing through the cities of Ifrane, Midelt, Errachidia, Erfoud and Merzouga, and cross the Atlas to regain the spiritual capital.
Organized under the patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the twentieth edition of this rally, the second by ODC Event, is the final round of the 2019 FIA All-Terrain Rally World Cup and the 2019 FIM World Championship.
The course, diversified and balanced, is an ideal preparation before appearing at the start of the Dakar 2020, say the organizers. Almost 145 vehicles were expected initially.
The particularity of this edition lies in the installation of a camp around Erfoud, planted in the heart of the desert, in order, explains the director of the rally, to create a space of exchange and conviviality between the participants.
In addition, the 2020 edition of the Rally of Morocco will be full of surprises, promised the director of this sporting event, David Castera.
"The Rally of Morocco 2019, which had the participation of the best crews of the discipline, was a great success," said David Castera at the MAP, on the sidelines of the award ceremony Wednesday evening in Fez.