Referred to by the event organisers as a scaled down 2022 Dakar special, stage two saw the Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team riders first complete a morning liaison of more than 200 kilometres, which took them to the top of the highest dunes in the south of Morocco. Then taking on a beautiful 334-kilometre stage across rolling sand dunes, which required accurate navigation, Ross, Adrien, and Andrew all successfully completed the 609-kilometre day.
Thankfully for Ross Branch stage two of the 2021 Rallye Du Maroc went much better than stage one. From third into the opening stage of the event to an eventual 28th place result at its finish following a sizeable navigational mistake, today Ross pushed hard and finished just under five minutes behind eventual winner Matthias Walkner and in a strong sixth position. Enjoying the stage, the Yamaha WR450F Rally mounted rider took a little while to find his rhythm but delivered a spirited ride and will begin tomorrow’s stage three with an advantageous start position.
For Adrien Van Beveren stage two was positive, as well as a little frustrating. Enjoying the rolling sea of sand dunes that made up the majority of the special stage, the Frenchman ultimately ended the day knowing that his 12th place result could have been better. Losing his way near the end of the stage, Adrien lost a handful of minutes and due to the rocky nature of the final trails was reluctant to take any risks and push hard to make back the lost time. Nevertheless, he sits eighth overall heading into the event’s third stage.
After damaging his navigational equipment during the first stage, Andrew Short was hoping to bounce back from his day one result. Unfortunately for the American, having opted for a no risk strategy during stage two he wasn’t able to deliver the result he’d hoped for. A little off the pace through the 334-kilometre special, Short ended his day in 15th.
Following a far less eventful stage compared to the event’s opener on Saturday, the team’s riders will now regroup and prepare themselves for stage three and another long day in the saddle with the total distance expected to reach almost 605 kilometres.
