Africa Race 2020: Breakdown doesn’t arrest Fernando Barreiros

Portuguese duo arrived at the Bivouac at 5 am and left a few hours later

Fernando and Nuno Barreiros continue at the Africa Eco Race 2020 after the second stage, which took place yesterday between Tarda and Mhamid in Morocco, where they were victim of a mechanical problem at Isuzu D-Max that didn’t allow them to conclude the stage by their own means and had to be transported to Mhamid by a truck.
The 329km special, which presented competitors with the first challenge on the Moroccan desert sands, was devastating for the Portuguese duo who, after the entrance on the first dune cord, saw a transmission from the front of the Isuzu D-Max fail. In addition to this misfortune, a leak in the rear differential prevented them from riding in the dunes so they had to turn back in search of an alternative route.

The situation, however, got worse when the differential also breaks and, because of this situation, they had to stop. Dependent on others aid, the Portuguese duo spent a vast number of hours in the desert but managed to reach the camp at 5 am where their assistance solved the problem in time for the car to start for the third stage that is currently happening.

This third stage of the Africa Eco Race connects Mhamid to Assa and has a selective sector of 497 km. In this journey riders must have special focus on endurance and navigation. The Erg Chegaga crossing will be the most difficult phase of the day while the rest of the course will be on a fast track.